Test Positioning

It is important to use bony landmarks to measure ROM because they are easy to palpate and then a therapist can have a more concrete location to start.  Having a clearer start position will help make it easier to measure the motion more accurately.  It is important to have proper positioning for measuring ROM so that there is a standard and all therapist can use the same process.  Additionally the therapist should use the proper positioning to test whether the client starts in a hyperextended position before zero or if the client starts in a position after zero degrees.  

The same is true for the purpose of the “test position” for MMT.  It allows us to have a standard process so that every therapist that performs the test can attempt to measure the same muscle correctly.  Like we have discussed, muscles work best at their mid-range position and proper positioning helps us achieve that.  It helps us have a better length tension relationship with the muscle we are testing.  When you use a gravity eliminated position, you are trying to test muscle strength and work that muscle but you do it without gravity because the muscle is too weak otherwise.  You use this technique for testing to see what to work on but also for treatment in order to work on building up that muscles strength in the future.