Per Elsais et al. 2020 Hip Quasi-specific site

M. Adductor Magnus

Adductor Magnus (Add Mag R)

Electrode placement (Elsais et al. 2020)

OrientationAlong the muscle fibres, 2 cm inter-electrode distance. Borders were located by ultrasound in the source - without ultrasound this is an approximation and crosstalk from adjacent adductors is possible

Show on the 3D model Source: Elsais et al. 2020 ↗ · Recording notes

Electrode position on the 3D model: M. Adductor Magnus (muscle highlighted, sensor in place)

Preview — open the 3D viewer to rotate the model and check neighbouring muscles. View in 3D Viewer

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Hip Adductor (Adductor Longus/Gracilis)“, p. 367

Placement type: Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
Signal check: Press the knees together (adduction); walking.
Crosstalk from: adductor longus and gracilis — Criswell describes only this group site for the adductors, no separate position for the magnus · vastus medialis · hamstrings

Print as a session sheet · A4 with landmarks, signal check and MVC test

Source: Elsais et al. 2020 ↗

Elsais WM, Preece SJ, Jones RK, Herrington L. Could relative movement between the adductor muscles and the skin invalidate surface electromyography measurement? Monten J Sports Sci Med. 2020;9(2):21-26.

Methodological background of the source

Elsais et al. (2020) examined whether relative movement between the adductor muscles and the skin invalidates surface EMG measurements. For the adductors this is a real issue, because the skin of the medial thigh shifts noticeably during hip movement. The position shown here follows the placement used in that study.

Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references → · SENIAM reference table · How electrodes are placed (guide) · Glossary

Go deeper Specific, Quasi-Specific, General — The Three Types of Surface EMG Placement → Which Muscles Cannot Be Measured With Surface EMG — and Why → MVC Normalisation — Why Microvolts Alone Say Nothing →

All 49 muscle protocols as a PDF — free

Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 77 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.

Anatomy & Function

The M. Adductor Magnus (Adductor Magnus) is a muscle of the hip region. It is responsible for hip adduction, anterior fibers: flexion, posterior fibers: extension and internal rotation. This muscle is not covered by the official SENIAM catalogue — placement is based on established clinical literature. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).

Function Hip adduction, anterior fibers: flexion, posterior fibers: extension and internal rotation Origin Inferior ramus of the pubis, ramus of the ischium, ischial tuberosity Insertion Linea aspera (medial lip), medial epicondyle of the femur (adductor tubercle) Innervation Adductor portion: obturator nerve, L2–L5; hamstring portion: tibial division of the sciatic nerve, L4–L5

Innervation after Perotto AO, Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer, 5th ed. 2011 — an anatomical reference, not an electrode placement recommendation.

Test Movement

Thigh adduction against resistance

This muscle has no SENIAM-standardized electrode position. Placement should be based on anatomical knowledge.

Detail: group test, sensor on the reference muscle of the group (M. Adductor Longus) — Group test — image shows the reference muscle of the group (M. Adductor Longus). Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.

MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)

Position: Supine or seated with flexed legs; a big, stiff roll cushion is pressed between the knees.
Fixation: The cushion itself provides the rigid resistance; pelvis stable.
Resistance: Isometric adduction against the cushion.

Konrad tests the adductors as one group ("Mm. adductores"); surface EMG does not separate longus, magnus and gracilis.

Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 32. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC

Measure M. Adductor Magnus activity live

The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.

In rehabilitation, the Adductor Magnus is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.

EMG biofeedback in physiotherapy → What is EMG biofeedback? PicoBlue sensors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Adductor Magnus?

At 60% of the distance from the greater trochanter to the lateral knee joint line, in the middle of the muscle belly between the posterior border of gracilis and the anterior border of the medial hamstrings. Orientation: Along the muscle fibres, 2 cm inter-electrode distance. Borders were located by ultrasound in the source - without ultrasound this is an approximation and crosstalk from adjacent adductors is possible. Not covered by SENIAM — placement per Elsais et al. 2020.

Which test movement activates the M. Adductor Magnus?

Thigh adduction against resistance. It serves as a signal check before recording: with correct electrode placement the EMG amplitude rises clearly during this movement.

Is the M. Adductor Magnus a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

No. The M. Adductor Magnus is not included in the official SENIAM catalogue. The electrode position documented here follows the established protocol per Elsais et al. 2020.