What does a muscle score of 2 indicate in the described grading scale?

• A. 2 muscle score - active movement without gravity
• B. 3 muscle score - active movement against gravity
• C. 4 muscle score - active movement against gravity, and some resistance
• D. 5 muscle score - active movement against full resistance w/o evident fatigue ('normal strength')

Answer: (A)

In manual muscle testing, this level means the muscle can actively move the limb, but only when gravity is eliminated. Put the limb in a position where gravity isn’t opposing the movement, and the person can move through part of the range. They cannot lift the limb against gravity on their own. That’s why the description “active movement without gravity” is the correct match.

If the movement happened against gravity, they would be at a higher grade; if it required only some resistance or full resistance, that would be even higher still. If there was no movement at all, that would be a lower grade.