Which statement best describes the plantarflexion grading in anti-gravity?

Which statement best describes the plantarflexion grading in anti-gravity?

• A. 5 = at least 25 heel raises, 4 = 10-24 heel raises, 3 = 1-9 heel raises, 2 = full ROM without resistance
• B. 5 = at least 25 heel raises, 4 = 15-24 heel raises, 3 = 3-9 heel raises, 2 = full ROM with resistance
• C. 5 = at least 20 heel raises, 4 = 10-24 heel raises, 3 = 1-9 heel raises, 2 = full ROM without resistance
• D. 5 = at least 25 heel raises, 4 = 10-24 heel raises, 3 = 1-9 heel raises, 2 = full ROM with resistance

Answer: (A)

Endurance against gravity is what’s being graded when plantarflexion is tested in an anti-gravity position. The idea is to see how many heel raises a person can perform before fatigue, which reflects how well the plantarflexor muscles (gastrocnemius-soleus) can repeatedly lift the body against gravity. The standard thresholds mirror this: 25 or more heel raises indicates normal strength (top grade), 10–24 shows good strength, 1–9 indicates limited strength, and the lowest grade corresponds to being able to move through full range without external resistance. That’s why the statement assigning 5 to at least 25, 4 to 10–24, 3 to 1–9, and 2 to full ROM without resistance best fits anti-gravity plantarflexion grading. The other options change the rep counts or the resistance condition in ways that don’t align with how this endurance-based grading is typically described.

Endurance against gravity is what’s being graded when plantarflexion is tested in an anti-gravity position. The idea is to see how many heel raises a person can perform before fatigue, which reflects how well the plantarflexor muscles (gastrocnemius-soleus) can repeatedly lift the body against gravity. The standard thresholds mirror this: 25 or more heel raises indicates normal strength (top grade), 10–24 shows good strength, 1–9 indicates limited strength, and the lowest grade corresponds to being able to move through full range without external resistance. That’s why the statement assigning 5 to at least 25, 4 to 10–24, 3 to 1–9, and 2 to full ROM without resistance best fits anti-gravity plantarflexion grading. The other options change the rep counts or the resistance condition in ways that don’t align with how this endurance-based grading is typically described.