Which assessment is used to test muscle strength?

• A. ROM measures joint range
• B. MMT tests muscle strength
• C. Functional tests assess real-world tasks
• D. Gait analysis assesses balance

Answer: (B)

Muscle strength is assessed by measuring the force a muscle can generate against resistance. Manual muscle testing does this by having you contract a specific muscle while the tester applies graded resistance in a chosen direction. The amount of resistance you can overcome helps assign a strength grade, typically from zero (no contraction) to five (normal strength). This focuses on isolated force production, which is different from other assessments: range of motion measures how far a joint can move, not how hard a muscle can contract; functional tasks evaluate real-world performance and may involve multiple muscles and systems; gait analysis examines walking patterns and balance rather than isolated strength. Manual muscle testing is a practical, quick way to gauge strength, though its accuracy can be influenced by effort, pain, and examiner technique.