Electrode Placement (SENIAM)
50% between medial scapular border and T3
Orientation: Horizontal, toward spine–scapula line
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 „Interscapular (Middle Trapezius)“, p. 292
- Placement type
- Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
- Signal check
- Retract the scapulae; abduct the arms through the full range.
- Crosstalk from
- rhomboids (hard to separate from the signal per Criswell) · upper trapezius · levator scapulae · erector spinae
Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references →
· How electrodes are placed (guide)
· Glossary
All 48 muscle protocols as a PDF — free
Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 84 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.
Anatomy
Origin
Proc. spinosi Th1–Th4
Insertion
Acromion, spine of scapula (medial)
Innervation
Spinal accessory nerve (spinal portion) with twigs from C3–C4
Test Movement
Retract scapulae against resistance (squeeze shoulder blades together)
MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)
- Position
- Prone on a bench, arms hanging, or seated at a rowing machine / cable.
- Fixation
- Seated: good chest support; prone: the bench itself.
- Resistance
- Barbell or bilateral manual resistance (prone) or cable/machine (seated); horizontal abduction against it.
Horizontal abduction addresses the shoulder-stabilising muscles: middle trapezius and rhomboids together.
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. Trapezius Pars Transversa:
- Rotator cuff rehabilitation
- Impingement syndrome biofeedback
- Pre-/post-surgical shoulder assessment
Measure M. Trapezius Pars Transversa 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 Trapezius is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa?
50% between medial scapular border and T3. Orientation: Horizontal, toward spine–scapula line. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).
Which test movement activates the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa?
Retract scapulae against resistance (squeeze shoulder blades together). This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.
Is the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa a SENIAM-recommended muscle?
Yes. The M. Trapezius Pars Transversa is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.
Related Muscles in This Region
Preview — open the 3D viewer to rotate the model and check neighbouring muscles.
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