For hip flexion MMT performed with gravity minimized, which position is used?

For hip flexion MMT performed with gravity minimized, which position is used?

• A. Supine with leg extended
• B. Side-lying with the hip in neutral and knee flexed to 90 degrees or with clinician supporting tested limb
• C. Prone with knee flexed
• D. Standing with pelvis stabilized

Answer: (B)

In gravity-eliminated testing, the goal is to remove the weight of the limb from contributing to or opposing the movement so you can assess the muscle’s strength with minimal external resistance. For hip flexion, the best setup puts the patient in a side-lying position with the leg being tested on top, the hip in neutral, and the knee flexed to 90 degrees. The clinician can support the tested limb to prevent it from moving under the force of gravity. This arrangement works well because side-lying stabilizes the pelvis and trunk, so movement comes mainly from the hip joint, not from compensatory trunk or pelvis motions. Keeping the knee bent to 90 degrees reduces involvement of the rectus femoris and emphasizes the primary hip flexors like the iliopsoas. Other positions—such as supine with the leg extended (which introduces gravitational resistance), prone with the knee flexed, or standing with the pelvis stabilized—either add gravity resistance or invite substitutions, making them less appropriate for gravity-eliminated testing.

In gravity-eliminated testing, the goal is to remove the weight of the limb from contributing to or opposing the movement so you can assess the muscle’s strength with minimal external resistance. For hip flexion, the best setup puts the patient in a side-lying position with the leg being tested on top, the hip in neutral, and the knee flexed to 90 degrees. The clinician can support the tested limb to prevent it from moving under the force of gravity.

This arrangement works well because side-lying stabilizes the pelvis and trunk, so movement comes mainly from the hip joint, not from compensatory trunk or pelvis motions. Keeping the knee bent to 90 degrees reduces involvement of the rectus femoris and emphasizes the primary hip flexors like the iliopsoas. Other positions—such as supine with the leg extended (which introduces gravitational resistance), prone with the knee flexed, or standing with the pelvis stabilized—either add gravity resistance or invite substitutions, making them less appropriate for gravity-eliminated testing.