Electrode Placement (SENIAM)
2 finger widths behind the acromial angle
Orientation: Toward acromion–little finger
Source:
SENIAM (Hermens 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 „Posterior Deltoid“, p. 306
- Placement type
- Specific site The signal originates predominantly from this muscle.
- Signal check
- Extend, abduct or laterally rotate the arm.
- Crosstalk from
- middle deltoid · infraspinatus · teres major · triceps brachii
Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references →
· How electrodes are placed (guide)
· Glossary
All 47 muscle protocols as a PDF — free
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
Origin
Spine of scapula (inferior border)
Insertion
Deltoid tuberosity of humerus
Test Movement
Move arm backward (extension) against resistance
MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)
- Position
- Seated with the trunk supported, arm at about 90° flexion or prone on a bench with the arm hanging.
- Fixation
- Trunk fixed; upper arm fixed near the test position.
- Resistance
- Manual resistance or strap against the back of the upper arm, extension / horizontal abduction against it.
- Control exercise
- Compare with the horizontal-abduction test used for the middle trapezius and rhomboids.
Konrad recommends a flexion/extension position for the spinal part of the deltoid; the posterior part shares the horizontal-abduction test of the shoulder stabilisers.
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 Spinalis:
- Rotator cuff rehabilitation
- Impingement syndrome biofeedback
- Pre-/post-surgical shoulder assessment
Measure M. Deltoideus Pars Spinalis 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 Posterior Deltoid is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Deltoideus Pars Spinalis?
2 finger widths behind the acromial angle. Orientation: Toward acromion–little finger. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).
Which test movement activates the M. Deltoideus Pars Spinalis?
Move arm backward (extension) against resistance. This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.
Is the M. Deltoideus Pars Spinalis a SENIAM-recommended muscle?
Yes. The M. Deltoideus Pars Spinalis is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.
Related Muscles in This Region
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