During anti-gravity MMT wrist extension, which statement best describes stabilization?

• A. The Table Stabilizes the Forearm
• B. The Clinician Stabilizes the Forearm
• C. The Patient Stabilizes the Elbow
• D. No Stabilization Is Used

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is to isolate the specific muscle group being tested by preventing movement of adjacent joints. In an anti-gravity wrist extension test, you want the wrist extensors to work against gravity, but you don’t want substitutions from the elbow or shoulder or from the forearm moving. That’s why the clinician stabilizes the forearm: by holding the forearm in place just below the elbow, the clinician prevents elbow or shoulder motion and keeps the movement focused at the wrist. This stabilizes the testing position so the resistance you apply truly measures the wrist extensors’ strength.

The other ideas aren’t as reliable in practice. The table can provide support, but it doesn’t consistently control all possible substitutions across different patients and positions. If the patient were to stabilize the elbow themselves, it could still allow unwanted movement elsewhere or rely on a weak link in coordination. And of course, using no stabilization risks the forearm or elbow moving, which would confound the measurement.