Preferred Testing Order of Muscle Groups.

This table provides a preferred order to the testing of muscle groups for manual muscle testing. Generally, for bilateral muscle testing, each muscle group is first tested on the right and then the left, prior to proceeding to the next muscle group in the list. Some muscle groups are listed here
with anti-gravity testing, but for a weaker patient, these would be tested in a sidelying or supine position, per the table below (Testing Positions); the re-test for a weaker patient is indicated in gray scale. The ankle plantar flexors are first tested in prone, and then retested in standing for
scoring purposes. Abbreviations: G.E., gravity eliminated.

JUVENILE MYOSITIS: STANDARDIZATION OF MMT COMMANDS.
The following are suggested commands for manual muscle testing in pediatric patients. Variation in the text is acceptable, but the concepts are intended to be uniform between patients. The instructions would be different for gravity-eliminated testing:
I’m going to see how strong you are. When I tell you hold and don’t let me push you, you try really, really hard not to let me move you. You need to be strong like a tree or a power ranger (use these examples to motivate the child).

1. Upper Trapezius: Turn your head like I do and shrug your shoulder up (demonstrate test position). Now I’m going to try to push your shoulder and head apart and you hold it and don’t let me push it apart.
2. Deltoid middle: Hold your arm up in the air like this (demonstrate), and I’m going to push down here and you hold it. Don’t let me push it down, hold it up there as hard as you can.
3. Biceps brachii: Bend your elbow, now don’t let me pull your arm down. Hold it hard and don’t let me pull it out.
4. Wrist extensors: Bring your hand back like this (demonstrate) and hold it while I try to straighten it out. Don’t let me straighten your hand. Be strong.
5. Wrist flexors: Bring your hand like this (demonstrate) and hold it while I try to straighten it. Don’t let me straighten your hand. Be strong.
6. Iliopsoas: Let’s have you sit. Can you bring your knee up in the air like this (demonstrate)? Hold it up there while I try to push it down. Hold it hard and don’t let me push it down.
7. Quadriceps: (Sitting) Kick your leg out so it is straight. Now hold it straight while I try to bend your knee. Be strong and keep it straight.
8. Ankle dorsiflexors: Bring your foot up like this (demonstrate), now hold it while I try to push it down. Don’t let me push it down.
9. Neck flexors: (Supine) Bring your head up off the table, now hold it up there. Now hold it up there while I try to push it down and don’t let me push it. Hold it as hard as you can.
10. Gluteus medius: Can you lie on your side? Now can you lift your leg up in the air? Make sure you keep your knee straight. Now hold it up there while I try to push your leg. Hold it hard and be strong.
11. Neck extensors: Lie on your belly, and bring your head up off the table. Now hold it up there. I’m going to try to push your head down and don’t let me do it. Hold it as hard as you can.
12. Gluteus maximus: Lie on your belly, and bend your knee. Now try to lift your whole leg up in the air (demonstrate passively). Hold it there, while I try to push down and don’t let me push it down. Hold it hard.
13. Hamstrings: Bend your knee, and hold it here (use your hand to limit knee flexion to approximately 45 degrees). I am going to pull here. You hold it and don’t let me pull your leg down. Hold it hard.
14. Ankle plantarflexors: Can you stand up on your tip toes without holding on to the table? You can hold on to my hand if you need some help