Muscle or groups of muscles can be rated according to their strength, as to how much they do actually are
- able to contract, or
- show at least signs of contraction, and
- able to produce movement
Customarily the general muscle strength is graded into 5 categories.
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No evidence of contractility, usually nerve damage or paralysis.
Nothing happening here. |
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Evidence of slight contractility, no joint motion.
The muscle is functioning albeit very, very weak. |
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Complete range of motion with gravity eliminated. |
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Complete range of motion against gravity.
Can flail their own body parts around with no extra load added. |
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Complete range of motion against gravity with some resistance. |
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Complete range of motion against gravity with full resistance.
Even when additional load is put on the movement can be performed. |