The document outlines a lecture on manual muscle testing, aiming to teach second-year kinesiology students essential definitions, procedures, and grading for assessing muscle strength. It emphasizes the importance of careful examination techniques, the purpose of muscle testing as a diagnostic tool, and the evaluation of muscle functionality and stability. Key components include patient preparation, principles of testing, and grading scales for muscle strength assessment.

1. MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING
Dr. Simran Mishra
Assistant Professor, Department of
Kinesiology and Kinesiotherapeutics
SIHS-COP, Pune

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lecture second year students should be
able to
•Define Manual Muscle Testing
•Explain Grading
•Describe Patient Preparation
•Describe Procedure of assessment of Muscle Strength
2

3. Introduction
4
Basics
5-6
Definition
7
Purpose
8
Grading
9-13
Principles
14
Preparation and Examination
15 onwards
Contents
3

4. 4
INTRODUCTION
The art of muscle testing involves the care with which an injured part is
handled, the positioning to avoid discomfort or pain, the gentleness required
in testing very weak muscles, and the ability to apply pressure or resistance
in a manner that permits the subject to exert the optimal response.
Mus
cle
Leng
th
Mus
cle
Stre
ngth
Manua
l
Muscle
Testing

5. 5
BASIC COMPONENTS OF MOTOR
EXAMINATION:
• Nutrition or Bulk of muscle
• Tone
• Reflexes
• Range of motion (ROM)
• Manual muscle test (MMT)
• Functional Assessment

6. Muscle length testing is used to determine whether the
muscle length is limited or excessive, i.e., whether the
muscle is too short to permit normal range of motion,
or stretched and allowing too much range of motion.
Muscle strength testing is used to determine the
capability of muscles or muscle groups to function in
movement and their ability to provide stability and
support.

7. Manual muscle test (MMT) is a
procedure for the evaluation of
strength of individual muscle or
muscles group, based upon the
effective performance of a
movement in relation to the forces
of gravity or Manual Resistance
through the available Range of
motion (ROM).

8. PURPOSE
8
i. It is diagnostic Tool.
ii. The severity of problem can be understand.
iii. We can planning our treatment goals.
iv. Determine the extend & degree of muscular weakness resulting
from disease, injury.
v. Correlating muscle picture with in level innervations
(myotoms) .
vi. Prevents deformities by locating problem areas.
vii. Help and Evaluate effectiveness of treatment to the therapist.

9. GRADING
MRC Scale
OXFORD Scale
KENDALL
Scale

10. 10

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13

14. 14
PRINCIPALS
1) Position
2) Stabilization
3) Demonstration
4) Application of Grades
5) Application of Resistance
6) Checking normal strength
7) Objectivity
8) Documentation

15. THANK
YOU