Muscle Grades

Normal

Abbreviation: N

Number grade: 5/5

Definition for normal

Full AROM against gravity and completes 3 holds or max resistance without breaking

Good plus

Abbreviation: G+

Number grade: 4+/5

Definition for Good Plus

not quite 3 holds but a little more than 2 holds

Good

Abbreviation: G

Number grade: 4/5

Definition of Good

Two holds against gravity

Good minus

Abbreviation: G-

Number grade: 4-/5

Definition of good minus

not quite two holds but at least more than 1 hold

Fair plus

Abbreviation: F+

Number grade: 3+/5

Definition of fair plus

full AROM and at least 1 hold

Functional activity

Fair

Abbreviation: F

Number grade: 3/5

Definition of fair

Full AROM against gravity Even simple resistance causes the motion to break

Fair minus

Abbreviation: F-

Number grade: 3-/5

Definition of fair minus

AROM (more than 50% but less than 100%) with gradual release from test position

Poor plus

Abbreviation: P+

Number grade: 2+/5

definition of Poor plus

Joint moves through full range of motion and holds against slight resistance

If client cannot withstand slight resistance (1 hold) or does not have full ROM gravity minimized, they cannot score a 2+

Poor

Abbreviation: P

Number grade: 2/5

Definition of poor:

part moves through complete range of motion with gravity minimized The gravity-eliminated position is usually a horizontal plane No resistance applied for this grade

Poor minus

Abbreviation: P-

Number grade: 2-/5

Definition of poor minus

part moves through incomplete range of motion with gravity minimized

Trace

Abbreviation: T

Number grade: 1/5

Definition of trace

Examiner can visually detect or palpate some contractile activity in one or more of the muscles that are part of the movement

Zero

Abbreviation: Z/ ZERO

Number grade: 0/5

Definition of zero

No movement or contraction on palpation or visual inspection of the muscles involved in the movement in any position