Innervation zones location and optimal electrodes position of obliquus internus and obliquus externus abdominis muscles

The assessment of abdominal muscles has became popular in recent years because the study of "core muscles'' is now considered a pivotal approach for a number of fields. The purpose of this study was to describe the innervation zone (IZ) locations and optimal electrode sites in two core muscles: the obliquus externus (OE) and the obliquus internus (OI) abdominis muscles. Twenty healthy male subjects were recruited and the IZ location was studied during a submaximal isometric contraction using multichannel surface EMG. The optimal electrode position for OI was found to be 2 cm lower the most prominent point of the anterior superior iliac spine, just medial and superior to the inguinal ligament. The optimal electrode position for OE was found to be 14 cm from the median line, lower the level of 1 cm above umbilicus, parallel to the line extending from the most inferior point of the costal margin to the opposite pubic tubercle (almost 45 degrees with respect to the median line). Findings showed that for OI and OE muscles it is possible to provide indications for a muscle belly area suited for proper positioning of at least an electrode pair. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.