The supine hip extensor manual muscle test: a reliability and validity study.
OBJECTIVE
To define the relative hip extensor muscle strengths values identified by the 4 grades obtained with a supine manual muscle test (MMT) and to compare these values with those indicated by the traditional prone test.


METHODS
Comparison of 4 manual supine strength grades with isometric hip extension joint torque; kappa statistic-determined interrater reliability, and analyses of variance identified between grade differences in torque.


METHODS
Pathokinesiology laboratory.


METHODS
Adult volunteers recruited from local community and outpatient clinics. Reliability testing: 16 adults with postpolio (31 limbs). Validity testing (2 groups): 18 subjects without pathology (18 limbs), and 26 people with clinical signs of hip extensor weakness (51 limbs).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Supine hip extensor manual muscle grade and isometric hip extension torque.


RESULTS
Reliability testing showed excellent agreement (82%). Subjects with pathology had significant differences in mean torque (P<.01) for the assigned grade 5 (176 Nm), grade 4 (103 Nm), grade 3 (67 Nm), and grade 2 (19 Nm). Healthy adults showed significant differences between grade 5 (212 Nm) and grade 4 (120 Nm) in mean torque (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The supine MMT is a reliable and valid method with which to assess hip extension strength.
Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA 90242, USA. pklab@larei.org
Jacquelin
J
Perry
Walter B
WB
Weiss
Judith M
JM
Burnfield
JoAnne K
JK
Gronley
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000150:complications; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D016684:Prone Position; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016683:Supine Position; D019415:Torque