From the Guidelines
A 3 out of 5 on the Manual Muscle Test (MMT) for the rectus abdominis indicates that the patient can complete a full range of motion against gravity but without additional resistance. This is based on the United Kingdom Medical Research Council System scale (0-5) which is commonly used to gauge muscle strength, as reported in the study by 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The MMT has been used to measure muscle strength in various muscle groups, including the rectus abdominis, as part of the assessment of muscle strength in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies 1.
- The rectus abdominis is the primary muscle responsible for trunk flexion, and testing it helps assess core strength and stability.
- A grade of 3 on the MMT represents moderate strength, where the muscle can work against gravity but would not be able to overcome additional manual resistance.
Clinical Significance
- A grade of 3 is clinically significant as it represents the threshold between functional and non-functional muscle strength for many daily activities, though it may not be sufficient for more demanding physical tasks that require greater core strength.
- The patient must be able to maintain the end position briefly without assistance, which is an important aspect of the MMT assessment.
Assessment Procedure
- The patient can perform a partial sit-up or curl-up from a supine position with their arms crossed over their chest, lifting their shoulder blades off the supporting surface, to assess the strength of the rectus abdominis muscle.
- The MMT is a useful tool for assessing muscle strength and guiding rehabilitation programs, as it provides a standardized and reliable measure of muscle function 1.
From the Research
Manual Muscle Test (MMT) for Rectus Abdominus (RA)
- The provided studies do not directly address the specific grading of a 3 for the Rectus Abdominus (RA) Manual Muscle Test (MMT) 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The studies focus on various aspects such as the effect of abdominal electrical muscle stimulation training 2, rehabilitation programs for rectus diastasis after childbirth 3, electrical stimulation of muscle 4, and properties of suture material 5.
- None of the studies provide information on the specific criteria or grading system used for the RA MMT, including what is considered a grade of 3.
- Therefore, there are no research papers among the provided studies to assist in answering this question.