Iliocostalis Lumborum (right) — SENIAM EMG Electrode Placement

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Low-Back (Erector Spinae) at L-3“, p. 342

Placement type: Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
Signal check: Forward flexion of the torso and return to midline.
Crosstalk from: quadratus lumborum · gluteus maximus · latissimus dorsi
Artefacts: Skin distortion during flexion/extension → electrodes may slip or pop; ECG common on the left side.

The position above follows SENIAM; the crosstalk and artefact notes apply to surface recording of this muscle in general.

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

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.

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 → 10 Factors That Distort Your EMG Signal → EMG Parameters — Which Number Answers Which Question →

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. Iliocostalis Lumborum (Iliocostalis Lumborum) is a muscle of the trunk posterior region. It is responsible for spinal extension and lateral flexion, trunk stabilization. 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).

Function Spinal extension and lateral flexion, trunk stabilization Origin Iliac crest (dorsal), Os sacrum (dorsal) Insertion Costal angles of the lower 6-9 ribs Innervation Dorsal rami of the spinal nerves at the corresponding level; innervation overlaps one to two segments above and below

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

Clinical applications (SENIAM)

Chronic low back pain therapy
Postural correction for scoliosis
Deadlift and squat biomechanics

Test Movement

Trunk extension from prone position against resistance

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

MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)

Position: Prone on a bench, trunk extension (upper body lifted against resistance).
Fixation: Legs and pelvis fixed on the bench.
Resistance: Manual resistance or belt across the upper back, extension against it.
Control exercise: Isolated back extension at a machine as the check exercise.

Konrad: a very productive position — the whole posterior chain is facilitated, so gluteus and hamstring maxima may appear here as well.

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. Iliocostalis Lumborum 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 therapy, this muscle is usually about tone regulation and consciously relaxing below a threshold.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Iliocostalis Lumborum?

At the level of L2, 1 finger width medial to the line from the posterior superior iliac spine to the lowest point of the lower rib. Orientation: Along the line posterior superior iliac spine–lowest point of the lower rib. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).

Which test movement activates the M. Iliocostalis Lumborum?

Trunk extension from prone position against resistance. This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.

Is the M. Iliocostalis Lumborum a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

Yes. The M. Iliocostalis Lumborum is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.

M. Iliocostalis Lumborum

Electrode Placement (SENIAM)