In muscle function testing, what does grade 3 indicate?

In muscle function testing, what does grade 3 indicate?

• A. Active movement with full ROM against gravity
• B. Active movement with full ROM against gravity AND some resistance
• C. Palpable contraction
• D. Total paralysis

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how muscle strength is classified during manual muscle testing. A muscle that can actively move a limb through its entire range of motion while fighting gravity—and without any added external resistance—demonstrates the level of strength known as a functional movement against gravity. In this grade, the patient can complete the full arc of motion with no assistance or resistance, but they cannot tolerate any extra resistance beyond that. So, the description that matches this level is the one stating active movement through the full range against gravity without any added resistance. If you add resistance and the movement still occurs, that pushes you into a higher grade. If there’s only a palpable contraction with no limb movement, that’s a lower grade, and if there’s no contraction at all, that’s total paralysis. In short, this grade corresponds to moving the limb through the full ROM against gravity without external resistance; adding resistance would indicate a higher grade, and lack of movement or only a contraction represents lower grades.

The main idea being tested is how muscle strength is classified during manual muscle testing. A muscle that can actively move a limb through its entire range of motion while fighting gravity—and without any added external resistance—demonstrates the level of strength known as a functional movement against gravity. In this grade, the patient can complete the full arc of motion with no assistance or resistance, but they cannot tolerate any extra resistance beyond that.

So, the description that matches this level is the one stating active movement through the full range against gravity without any added resistance. If you add resistance and the movement still occurs, that pushes you into a higher grade. If there’s only a palpable contraction with no limb movement, that’s a lower grade, and if there’s no contraction at all, that’s total paralysis.

In short, this grade corresponds to moving the limb through the full ROM against gravity without external resistance; adding resistance would indicate a higher grade, and lack of movement or only a contraction represents lower grades.