MMT Basics and Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In MMT, what does a grade of '3' (Fair) indicate about a muscle?
- Full ROM against gravity with some resistance
- Full ROM against gravity with no additional resistance (Correct answer)
- Full ROM with gravity eliminated
- Minimal contraction with no movement
Correct answer: Full ROM against gravity with no additional resistance
Grade 3 (Fair) means the muscle can move the limb through full range of motion against gravity but cannot tolerate any additional resistance.
Question 2: Which plane of testing is used when gravity is eliminated during MMT?
- Vertical plane
- Sagittal plane
- Horizontal plane (Correct answer)
- Frontal plane
Correct answer: Horizontal plane
When gravity is eliminated, the limb is moved in the horizontal (gravity-minimized) plane so gravity does not resist or assist the motion.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of stabilization during an MMT?
- To increase patient comfort
- To prevent substitution by other muscles (Correct answer)
- To apply resistance more effectively
- To isolate the joint being tested
Correct answer: To prevent substitution by other muscles
Stabilization prevents substitution movements by fixing proximal segments so only the target muscle group performs the motion.
Question 4: A muscle graded '1' (Trace) on the Kendall scale demonstrates which finding?
- Full ROM with gravity eliminated
- Visible or palpable contraction but no joint motion (Correct answer)
- Partial ROM against gravity
- No evidence of contraction
Correct answer: Visible or palpable contraction but no joint motion
Grade 1 (Trace) indicates a visible or palpable muscle contraction that is insufficient to produce any joint movement.
Question 5: Which MMT grade is considered the threshold for functional antigravity strength?
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Correct answer: Grade 3
Grade 3 (Fair) is the minimum grade at which a muscle can move a body segment against gravity through full ROM, marking functional antigravity capacity.
Question 6: During MMT, the 'break test' refers to which technique?
- Testing through the full arc of motion
- Applying resistance at end range until the position breaks (Correct answer)
- Testing the muscle at its shortest position
- Passively moving the limb to assess tone
Correct answer: Applying resistance at end range until the position breaks
The break test applies resistance at the end-range position and the examiner increases force until the patient's position 'breaks,' measuring isometric strength.
Question 7: What is the recommended patient position when testing a hip flexor muscle at grade 3 or above?
- Side-lying
- Supine with leg extended
- Seated at edge of table (Correct answer)
- Prone
Correct answer: Seated at edge of table
Hip flexion against gravity is typically tested in the seated position so the patient lifts the thigh upward against gravitational resistance.
MMT Basics and Principles 2
In MMT, what does a grade of '3' (Fair) indicate about a muscle?