Manual Muscle Testing: Hip Extension

Muscles Involved:

Gluteus Maximus

Semitendinous

Semimembranous

Biceps Femoris

Patient Positioning

• Grades 3 to 5 - Patient in in prone - to test gluteus maximus and hamstrings - side-side knee in extension

                                                                        - to test gluteus maximus only - test-side knee flexed to 90 degrees,

• Grades 0-2 - Patient is in side lying with the knee flexed to 90 degrees and supported by the therapist

Joint start Position

The hip should be in a neutral position between the available range of abduction and adduction. This can sometimes be challenging to achieve.

Therapist Position

• Therapist to stand on test side & stabilize the pelvis over the sacrum

To Test

• Patient actively extends the hip
• For grades 4 to 5 apply resistance through distal thigh in the direction opposite to hip extension.