Manual muscle testing overlooks many knee extension strength deficits among older adults

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bohannon, Richard W.^a

Affiliations: [a] Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Kinesiology, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut, U-2101, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA. Tel.: +1 860 486 0048; E-mail: richard.bohannon@uconn.edu

Abstract: This retrospective study examined the adequacy of manual muscle testing (MMT) as a measure of knee extension force among home-care patients. The knee extension strength of 31 patients was measured by MMT, hand-held dynamometry (HHD), and the five-repetition sit-to-stand-test (FRSTST). Although most patients were identified as weak by MMT, neither the sensitivity nor the specificity of MMT relative to HHD or FRSTST justifies its use as a sole measure of muscle strength among home care patients.

Keywords: Muscle strength, measurement, validity

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0382

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 185-187, 2010