In the Modified Tardieu Scale, which statement correctly describes the relationship of R1 and R2?

In the Modified Tardieu Scale, which statement correctly describes the relationship of R1 and R2?

• A. R1 corresponds to slow velocity; R2 to fast velocity
• B. R1 corresponds to fast velocity; R2 to slow velocity
• C. Both correspond to fast velocity
• D. R1 and R2 are unrelated to velocity

Answer: (B)

In this scale, you compare how a muscle responds to stretch at different speeds to separate neural spasticity from length limitation. R1 is the angle at which the muscle first shows a catch during a rapid stretch, while R2 is the angle of full passive stretch at a slow speed. So R1 reflects the response at fast velocity, and R2 reflects the response at slow velocity. This distinction helps identify how much of the resistance is due to velocity-dependent neural reflexes versus the muscle’s actual length. If R1 is noticeably smaller than R2, there’s a larger neural contribution; if they’re similar, a fixed contracture may be more involved.

In this scale, you compare how a muscle responds to stretch at different speeds to separate neural spasticity from length limitation. R1 is the angle at which the muscle first shows a catch during a rapid stretch, while R2 is the angle of full passive stretch at a slow speed. So R1 reflects the response at fast velocity, and R2 reflects the response at slow velocity. This distinction helps identify how much of the resistance is due to velocity-dependent neural reflexes versus the muscle’s actual length. If R1 is noticeably smaller than R2, there’s a larger neural contribution; if they’re similar, a fixed contracture may be more involved.