Which statement best describes the use of ROM, MMT, and functional strength testing?

• A. ROM measures joint range; MMT tests muscle strength; Functional tests assess real-world tasks; use ROM for mobility limitations, MMT for strength deficits, functional tests for participation goals
• B. ROM measures pain levels; MMT tests endurance; Functional tests assess gait speed only
• C. ROM tests muscle strength; MMT measures joint range; Functional tests measure reflexes
• D. ROM assesses functional tasks; MMT assesses participation; Functional tests measure tissue healing

Answer: (A)

The assessment using these tests is about matching what each tool actually measures to how you use it in planning treatment. Range of motion measures how much a joint can move, reflecting mobility and restrictions from stiffness, capsular issues, or contractures. Manual muscle testing assesses how strong a muscle or muscle group is by applying resistance and watching for the patient’s ability to hold against it. Functional strength testing looks at how well those strength and mobility abilities translate into real-world tasks and everyday activities, informing goals at the participation level.

This combination is why the best statement is the one that assigns ROM to mobility limitations, MMT to strength deficits, and functional tests to real-world task performance and participation goals. The other options mix up what each test measures—pain levels, endurance, reflexes, or tissue healing—so they don’t accurately reflect the purpose of each assessment tool.