WHAT IS MUSCLE STRENGTH?
According to the AMERICAN COUNCIL OF EXERCISE, muscular strength is the maximal
force a muscle or a muscle group can exert during a contraction.
Factors related to muscle strength are:
• The size of the muscle fibers
• The ability of the nerves to activate the muscle fibers
TERMS RELATED TO MUSCLE
STRENGTH
1. Power: The combination of muscular force and speed of movement.
2. ENDURANCE: The ability of the muscles to exert force against resistance over a sustained
period of time or repetitions is known as muscular endurance.
METHODS
1 ) Mechanically or instrumentally
In this the following devices are used to measure the strength
• CABLE TENSIOMETER
• STRAIN GAUGE
• HAND HELD DYNAMOMETER OR GRIP STRENGTH DYNAMOMETER
• MODIFIED SPHYGMOMAMOMETER
• PINCH METER
CABLE TENSIONMETER
In cable tensiometer, two cables will be there in which one end of the cable is attached to some
fixed or stable object and the other end is attached to a limb segment. As the cable is pulled, it
presses the tensiometer’s bar which is connected to the gauge that measures in relative units.
STRAIN GAUGE
Strain gauges are made of electro conductive material. Strain gauge devices are less often used
for muscle evaluation.
HAND HELD DYNAMOMETER
OR GRIP STRENGTH
DYNAMOMETER
Mainly used for measuring strength of the hand and forearm muscles.
Maximum grip strength is the measure of three trails.
MODIFIED
SPHYGOMAMOMETER
• Inflate the cuff up to 20mmHg
Then squeeze the cuff and note the readings
PINCH METER
This is used to assess strength of fingers.
1. TIP PINCH-thumb and index finger
2. LATERAL/KEY PINCH-thumb pad and lateral aspect of the index finger
3. PALMAR PINCH-thumb, index and middle finger
Average of 3 trials for each pinch position is taken.
MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING
RESISTED ISOMETRIC
CONTRACTION
Isometric muscle testing is commonly performed by therapists to test the strength and determine
whether an injury or illness has affected it. It can be used test the strength and determine
whether the workout routine is effectively helping you to get stronger.
Steps to perform resisted isometric movements:
1. The joint is placed in a neutral or resting position.
2. Then the patient is asked to perform strong isometric contraction, not to move the part and the
therapist will resist with almost equal amount of force to prevent any movement from occurring
and also to ensure the patient exerts maximum force.
After the movements are performed, the therapist determines the contractile tissue affected by
judging the degree of pain and strength in contraction.
4 classic patterns according to pain and strength are:
1.STRONG AND PAINFREE
There is no lesion in the contractile tissue (muscle as well as nerve supplying)
2. STRONG AND PAINFUL
There is a local lesion of muscle or tendon. Muscle strain may be possible.
3. WEAK AND PAINFUL
Seen in severe lesion of muscle or tendon. Muscle strain may be possible.
4. WEAK AND PAINFREE
Indicates complete rupture of muscle or tendon or involvement of peripheral nerve root
supplying that muscle.
JOINT RANGE OF MOTION
Range Of Motion (ROM) is the arc of motion that occurs at a joint or a series of joints.
Three notation systems have been used to define ROM:
1. The 0 to 180 degree system
2. The 180 to 0 degree system
3. The 360 degree system
Most commonly used is the 0 to 180 degree notation system
PREREQUISITE
1. Normal rom
2. Joint structure and function
3. Recommend positioning
4. Bony landmark related to each other
5. Alignment of goniometer
6. Normal end feel
7. Factors that can alter Normal rom
