2470 Eur J Appl Physiol (2011) 111:2461–2471 positioned over <strong>the</strong> main <strong>motor</strong> point in case <strong>of</strong> monopolar stimulation. However, it is not possible to infer from <strong>the</strong> present data if <strong>the</strong>se electrode configurations or <strong>the</strong> above-mentioned multichannel stimulation can improve <strong>the</strong> effectiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> electrical stimulation procedures. Fur<strong>the</strong>r studies comparing <strong>the</strong> electromechanical responses obtained by different stimulation sites and modalities are required to resolve elements <strong>of</strong> confusion and controversy and improve standardization <strong>of</strong> electrical stimulation procedures. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that <strong>muscle</strong> <strong>motor</strong> <strong>points</strong> can be easily and quickly localized in <strong>the</strong> <strong>lower</strong> <strong>limb</strong> through visual inspection and manual palpation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>muscle</strong> during electrical stimulation and that an interindividual variability in <strong>the</strong> <strong>motor</strong> point position exists and may limit <strong>the</strong> usefulness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anatomic <strong>motor</strong> point charts, especially <strong>for</strong> posterior thigh and leg <strong>muscle</strong>s. Acknowledgments Musculoskeletal Images are from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Washington ‘‘Musculoskeletal <strong>Atlas</strong>: A Musculoskeletal <strong>Atlas</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Human Body’’ by Carol Teitz, M.D. and Dan Graney, Ph.D. Copyright 2003–2004 University <strong>of</strong> Washington. All rights reserved including all photographs and images. No re-use, re-distribution or commercial use without prior written permission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> authors and <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Washington. The authors are grateful to Pr<strong>of</strong>. R. Merletti (LISiN, Politecnico di Torino, Italy) <strong>for</strong> his careful review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> final version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> manuscript and to Dr. D. Antista (School <strong>of</strong> Motor Sciences, Turin, Italy) <strong>for</strong> his valuable assistance in subject recruitment and evaluation. This study was supported by Regional Health Administration Project ‘‘Ricerca Sanitaria Finalizzata 2009’’ and by bank foundations ‘‘Compagnia di San Paolo’’ (Project ‘‘Neuromuscular Investigation and Conditioning in Endocrine Myopathy’’), ‘‘Fondazione Cariplo’’ (Project ‘‘Steroid myopathy: Molecular, Histopathological, and Electrophysiological Characterization’’) and ‘‘Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Saluzzo’’. References An XC, Lee JH, Im S, Lee MS, Hwang K, Kim HW, Han SH (2010) Anatomic localization <strong>of</strong> <strong>motor</strong> entry <strong>points</strong> and intramuscular nerve endings in <strong>the</strong> hamstring <strong>muscle</strong>s. 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