muscle testing 1-2

Question 1

what is manual muscle testing (MMT)

Answer 1

• fundamental skill of PT
• essential in diagnosis and assessment of function movement

Question 2

purposes for MMT

Answer 2

• establish a baseline for muscle exercise and re-ed
• determine function level
• can assist in determining if orthotics or splits are needed
• determining which assistive device to use

Question 3

amount of tension generated by the muscle will vary by …

Answer 3

• number and firing rate of motor units
• length of the muscle at the time of contraction
• type of muscle fiber

Question 4

Slow twitch fibers (type 1)

Answer 4

• red fibers
• small diameter
• aerobic
• slow contractile response
• high density of capillaries, myoglobin, and mitochondria
• low anaerobic capacity
• high oxidative capacity
• high resistance to fatigue
• energy stored triglycerides
• postural muscles

Question 5

fast twitch glycolytic fibers (type 2B)

Answer 5

• white fibers
• large diameter
• very fast contractile response
• low density of capillaries, myoglobin, and mitochondria
• low oxidative capacity
• high glycolytic capacity
• low resistance to fatigue
• energy stored as ATP
• recruited for brief activities requiring power and speed (sprinting, weight training, jumping)

Question 6

fast oxidative fibers (type 2A)

Answer 6

• red fibers
• medium diameter
• fast contractile response
• have characteristics of both type 1 and 2B fibers
• more powerful than type 1 but more resistant to fatigue than type 2B
• medium density of capillaries, myoglobin, and mitochondria
• high oxidative capacity
• intermediate glycolytic capacity
• moderate resistance to fatigue
• anaerobic and aerobic

Question 7

what is the break test

Answer 7

• manual resistance is applied to a limb or other body part
• always apply concentric force in the OPPOSITE direction of the line of pull of the participation muscle
• muscle is USUALLY test at the end of available range where the muscle is most challenged (mechanical disadvantage)

Question 8

MMT grading system

Answer 8

• 5 (normal)
• 4 (good)
• 3 (fair)
• 2 (poor)
• 1 (trace activity)
• 0 (no activity)

Question 9

Grade 5 (normal)

Answer 9

• when therapist cant “break” the position with maximal resistance

Question 10

Grade 4 (good)

Answer 10

• can complete full ROM against gravity but not able to resist maximum force
• should hold against moderate resistance
• may indicate a 50% decrease in munber of motor neurons
• pain may limit muscles actual strength

Question 11

grade 3 (fair)

Answer 11

• can complete full ROM against gravity only
• addition resistance will cause motion to break
• may represent a functional threshold for UE movements
  -usually indicates a lack of strength for LE function (gait)

Question 12

grade 2 (poor)

Answer 12

• can complete ROM with gravity minimized or no friction

Question 13

grade 1 (trace)

Answer 13

• no movement of body part
• can feel a contraction by manual palpation or visually

Question 14

grade 0

Answer 14

no muscle activity