What does a score of 1/5 in manual muscle testing refer to?

A score of 1/5 in manual muscle testing denotes trace muscular contraction without any accompanying movement. This means that when the muscle is tested, a contraction can be palpated or felt by the examiner, but there is insufficient strength to produce any joint motion. This level of strength indicates that the muscle is not functioning effectively enough to overcome gravity, which is a critical aspect of muscle grading.

In the context of muscle strength assessment, the scoring system is hierarchical, where higher scores represent greater muscle strength and ability to generate movement against resistance or gravity. A score of 1/5 specifically indicates that there is some observable activity at the muscle level, but it does not translate into functional movement, which is key to identifying both the extent of weakness and the potential for rehabilitation. It's important for physical therapists to accurately assess this level of contraction when developing treatment plans for patients.