In hip extension MMT with anti-gravity, what is the standard position?

In hip extension MMT with anti-gravity, what is the standard position?

• A. Prone, arms by sides, hips extended
• B. Supine with legs extended
• C. Side-lying with bottom leg flexed
• D. Standing with pelvis stabilized

Answer: (B)

The key idea is testing a hip extensor against gravity in a stable, easy-to-control position. Lying on the back with the leg straight places the hip in a position where the patient can lift the thigh upward to extend the hip, while gravity resists that upward movement. This setup minimizes unwanted substitutions from the trunk or pelvis and allows the examiner to stabilize the pelvis to isolate the hip extensors (primarily the gluteus maximus with the knee kept extended to bias that muscle). While prone positions can be used for hip extension, they introduce different stabilization demands and potential substitutions, making the supine position the standard when testing hip extension against gravity.

The key idea is testing a hip extensor against gravity in a stable, easy-to-control position. Lying on the back with the leg straight places the hip in a position where the patient can lift the thigh upward to extend the hip, while gravity resists that upward movement. This setup minimizes unwanted substitutions from the trunk or pelvis and allows the examiner to stabilize the pelvis to isolate the hip extensors (primarily the gluteus maximus with the knee kept extended to bias that muscle). While prone positions can be used for hip extension, they introduce different stabilization demands and potential substitutions, making the supine position the standard when testing hip extension against gravity.