Topic 6 - Manual Muscle Testing

A therapist tests elbow flexion strength with the patient's shoulder flexed and elbow fully flexed. The biceps show minimal force output. What phenomenon best explains this?

• Active insufficiency

• Passive insufficiency

• Eccentric contraction limitation

• Length-tension relationship

During a physical therapy session, David is assessing a patient's knee strength. He considers testing the quadriceps while the knee is in a close-packed position. Why should David avoid testing a muscle in this position?

• It causes excessive joint instability

• It enhances pain perception

• It fails to activate the antagonist

• It can result in false strength due to joint locking

A patient with dermatomyositis presents for MMT. What is the most appropriate action?

• Test with modified gravity-eliminated positions

• Limit testing to isometric contractions

• Use minimal repetitions

• Avoid MMT due to contraindication

• Apply resistance only during eccentric contraction

Which principle is MOST critical to ensure the reliability of repeated MMT over time?

• Therapist's dominant hand

• Standardized testing conditions and timing

• Use of concentric testing only

• Testing after exercise

• Use of the patient's preferred position

In MMT, when the therapist allows the joint to move during contraction against resistance, what type of contraction is being assessed?

• Isometric

• Isotonic

• Passive

• Static

A patient demonstrates full elbow flexion with resistance applied throughout the motion. However, they fatigue after the third trial. What was the likely testing error?

• Overstimulation of proprioceptors

• Performing excessive repetitions leading to underestimation

• Use of wrong muscle

• Improper palpation

• Incorrect joint positioning

When a muscle's torque is unable to overcome gravity and external resistance, what occurs?

• Concentric contraction

• Isometric equilibrium

• Eccentric contraction

• Muscle slackening

Why is moderate speed preferred during muscle strength testing?

• It improves patient compliance

• It allows for joint lubrication

• It maintains consistent force during contraction

• It avoids the influence of gravity

• It maximizes antagonist activation

When testing a two-joint muscle, why must other joints be considered?

• To avoid activating synergists

• To prevent overstretching

• To control for length-tension relationships

• To assess antagonist relaxation

• To ensure isotonic testing

The definition of torque in MMT is best described as:

• Force × Speed

• Load × Area

• Force × Perpendicular Distance to Axis

• Resistance × Resistance Arm

• Joint Angle × Muscle Length