MMT Testing Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Kendall MMT system, the percentage score assigned to a normal (Grade 5) muscle is:
- 80%
- 90%
- 95%
- 100% (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 100%
In Kendall's percentage-based system, Grade 5 Normal equals 100%, representing full strength against maximum resistance.
Question 2: A clinician asks the patient to 'hold, don't let me move you.' This instruction indicates the examiner is performing:
- An active-assistive ROM test
- An isometric break test (Correct answer)
- A concentric resistance test
- A functional movement screen
Correct answer: An isometric break test
The instruction to 'hold' while the examiner attempts to move the segment is the classic setup for an isometric break test used in standard MMT.
Question 3: Which factor does NOT directly affect the reliability of manual muscle test results?
- Examiner experience level
- Patient motivation and cooperation
- Time of day the test is performed (Correct answer)
- Consistency of patient positioning
Correct answer: Time of day the test is performed
While minor fatigue variation exists throughout the day, time of day is not a recognized primary factor affecting MMT reliability, unlike examiner skill, patient effort, and standardized positioning.
Question 4: When testing hip abductor strength, the patient is typically positioned in:
- Prone with knee extended
- Supine with legs flat
- Sidelying with test limb uppermost (Correct answer)
- Seated with hip at 90°
Correct answer: Sidelying with test limb uppermost
Hip abductors are tested in sidelying with the test limb on top, allowing the limb to move laterally against gravity through the full ROM.
Question 5: If a patient demonstrates a Trendelenburg sign during single-leg stance, which hip muscle group is most likely testing below Grade 3?
- Hip flexors
- Hip extensors
- Hip abductors (Correct answer)
- Hip external rotators
Correct answer: Hip abductors
A positive Trendelenburg sign indicates weakness of the stance-side hip abductors, which normally stabilize the pelvis during single-leg support.
Question 6: During a shoulder flexion MMT, the examiner applies resistance at the distal forearm. The correct direction of the resistance force is:
- Superiorly, to assist the movement
- Into flexion, to resist the motion's direction
- Into extension, opposing the movement direction (Correct answer)
- Medially, across the segment
Correct answer: Into extension, opposing the movement direction
Resistance is always applied in the direction opposite to the tested motion; for flexion, the force is applied into extension to challenge the flexor muscles.
Question 7: What does a MMT grade of '1' (Trace) specifically indicate?
- No palpable or visible muscle contraction
- Visible or palpable contraction without movement (Correct answer)
- Partial ROM in gravity-eliminated position
- Full ROM with gravity eliminated
Correct answer: Visible or palpable contraction without movement
Grade 1 (Trace) means the examiner can see or feel a muscle contraction, but it is insufficient to produce any joint movement.
MMT Testing Procedures 3
In the Kendall MMT system, the percentage score assigned to a normal (Grade 5) muscle is: