The M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis (Middle Deltoid) is a muscle of the shoulder region. It is responsible for abduction at shoulder joint (from 15 degrees). This muscle is one of 26 with official SENIAM-recommended surface EMG electrode placement. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).
Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2000;10(5):361-74.
Recording notes per Criswell 2011, site „Middle Deltoid“, p. 305
Placement type
Specific site The signal originates predominantly from this muscle.
Signal check
Abduct the arm.
Crosstalk from
anterior and posterior deltoid · biceps brachii · triceps brachii
The position above follows SENIAM; the crosstalk and artefact notes apply to surface recording of this muscle in general.
Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 75 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.
Anatomy
OriginAcromionInsertionDeltoid tuberosity of humerus
Test Movement
Raise arm laterally (abduction 90 degrees) against resistance
Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.
MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)
Position
Seated, if possible with the back supported, both arms abducted to about 90°.
Fixation
Arms fixed near the 90° position with straps; bilateral contraction keeps the trunk load balanced.
Resistance
Fixed straps or bar above the elbows, abduction against them.
Abduction works best for the acromial (middle) part; for the clavicular part consider a flexion position, for the spinal part an extension position.
Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 31. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC
Clinical Applications
Common use cases for surface EMG measurement of the M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis:
Rotator cuff rehabilitation
Impingement syndrome biofeedback
Pre-/post-surgical shoulder assessment
Measure M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis 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 Middle Deltoid is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.
Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis?
Greatest curvature of the muscle. Orientation: Toward acromion–lateral epicondyle. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).
Which test movement activates the M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis?
Raise arm laterally (abduction 90 degrees) against resistance. This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.
Is the M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis a SENIAM-recommended muscle?
Yes. The M. Deltoideus Pars Acromialis is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.
Preview — open the 3D viewer to rotate the model and check neighbouring muscles.
View in 3D Viewer
