title: A broad range of forces is encompassed by the maximum manual muscle test grade of five.
abstract: This retrospective study summarizes the range of knee extension forces associated with the manual muscle test grade of 5. The range of the forces (>560 Newtons) was large and encompassing of more than 86% of measurable forces. These findings help to explain the insensitivity of manual muscle testing and why it has such a profound ceiling effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bohannon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corrigan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016552:Ergometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*