For hip flexion MMT performed anti-gravity, what is the typical position?

For hip flexion MMT performed anti-gravity, what is the typical position?

• A. Side-lying with the hip in neutral and knee flexed
• B. Seated at edge of table with hands resting on table for stability
• C. Supine with legs unsupported
• D. Prone with hip flexed

Answer: (B)

Hip flexion against gravity is tested most reliably when the patient sits at the edge of the table with the thigh free to move and the hands resting on the table for stability. This position lets the hip flexors (mainly the iliopsoas) lift the thigh upward against the downward pull of gravity, while the trunk and pelvis are stabilized so you’re truly assessing hip flexion rather than compensatory movements. The resting hands provide a solid base to prevent substitutions like pelvis tilt or trunk flexion, which could falsely suggest more or less strength. Other positions either remove the gravitational resistance, make stabilization awkward, or invite compensatory patterns that cloud the measurement, so they’re less appropriate for an anti-gravity hip flexion test.

Hip flexion against gravity is tested most reliably when the patient sits at the edge of the table with the thigh free to move and the hands resting on the table for stability. This position lets the hip flexors (mainly the iliopsoas) lift the thigh upward against the downward pull of gravity, while the trunk and pelvis are stabilized so you’re truly assessing hip flexion rather than compensatory movements. The resting hands provide a solid base to prevent substitutions like pelvis tilt or trunk flexion, which could falsely suggest more or less strength. Other positions either remove the gravitational resistance, make stabilization awkward, or invite compensatory patterns that cloud the measurement, so they’re less appropriate for an anti-gravity hip flexion test.