Third, the MMT scale has been criticized for not being capable of detecting clinically relevant differences in muscle strength.This is largely due to the stepwise design of the scale and has spurred the development of other scales that have more diagnostic levels. The second limitation of MMT is the inability of the scale to detect small, between-level differences in strength.The first limitation is that the MMT scale is subjective in nature and the score depends on the clinician’s judgment.Grade 5: Full range of motion against gravity, maximal resistance.Īlthough the MMT grades is still widely used in clinical practice due to its low cost and rapidity, there are several limitations that must be noted:.Grade 4: Full range of motion against gravity, moderate resistance.Grade 3: Full range of motion against gravity.Grade 2: Full range of motion, gravity eliminated.Grade 1: Visible or palpable contraction without motion.Grade 0: No visible or palpable contraction.The Manual Muscle Testing Grades has six levels (0–5): Since then, abundant research has been conducted regarding its various applications, including modifications of the original grading scale used to describe muscular strength.ĭespite these modifications, the scale that is most widely accepted is very similar to the original proposal by Lovett and Martin and was devised by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in 1943. In 1916, Lovett and Martin first described the method of manual muscle testing in newborns with infantile paralysis. MMT utilizes a standardized grading system that is determined by the ability of the tested muscle act against gravity or against resistance applied by the examiner. Manual muscle testing (MMT Testing) is the most common method by which clinicians evaluate muscle strength.

Gainsborough energy 1000x manual muscle