Which description corresponds to a 3/5 MMT strength grade (Fair)?

• A. No contraction felt or seen
• B. Full ROM against gravity
• C. Partial ROM in test position
• D. Against strong pressure

Answer: (B)

In manual muscle testing, a 3/5 (fair) means the muscle can move the joint through its full range of motion against gravity, but it cannot resist external resistance. The description that matches this is moving through the entire ROM with gravity acting on the limb and no added resistance.

This sits in the middle of the scale: you don’t need external weight to challenge the muscle, but you also can’t hold up against applied pressure. A zero score would be no contraction, a 2/5 or less would be moved only with gravity eliminated or only partial ROM, and a 4/5 or 5/5 means the muscle can withstand some or maximal resistance. The option describing full ROM against gravity best fits the 3/5 strength grade.