Strength Tests for Foot Drop, Quads, Calves, Fingers
As a former personal trainer, I have designed some brilliant strength tests that should give any healthy person loads of reassurance that they are healthy.
Of course, always consult with a neurologist for a medical evaluation if you’re experiencing troubling symptoms.
But in the meantime, try out these strength tests if your “hot areas” are the foot, quads, calves and/or fingers.
Strength tests can be a fabulous way of giving you the very reassurance that you so desperately need to feel that you’re healthy — that everything’s going to be just fine!
Strength Tests for the Following
Think you have foot drop? Foot drop is literally that: a dropped foot — due to the inability of the muscles to hold it up.
This is evident when walking. The affected foot will feel as though it’s dragging or limp, or not as perky as it used to be.
An ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) for true foot drop. Source: Foot drop Pagemaker787 CreativeCommons
Many conditions, including ALS, cause foot drop. However, there are strength tests that, if you can pull them off, will be mighty reassuring that your motor neurons are just fine. Check them out: Foot Drop
Some people with health anxiety have taken to focusing on their quad muscles or entire upper leg.
There are strength tests that target the quadriceps muscles, and if these muscles are weak due to a motor neuron disease, you will not be able to conduct these drills without knowing that something is very wrong. So check them out. Quads
Another hot area of focus among those with health anxiety is the lower leg or calves. I have some dandy strength tests for those.
Fingers and/or the entire hand are also a common area of focus. It is so easy to see if your fingers are truly suffering from clinical weakness by conducting some straightforward strength tests. Here they are. Fingers
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
