Valgus stresses are typical for throwing athletes and stabilize best with elbow flexion and what?

• A. Elbow flexion and pronation
• B. Elbow extension
• C. Elbow flexion and supination
• D. Elbow flexion and supination with pronation

Answer: (D)

Valgus stability at the elbow during throwing mainly comes from dynamic stabilization by the flexor-pronator muscle group crossing the medial elbow. When the elbow is flexed, these muscles tighten across the medial side and help resist the valgus load that occurs in throwing.

The forearm position matters because rotating the forearm engages different parts of this muscle group. Allowing the forearm to move through both pronation and supination keeps these stabilizers taut throughout the throwing arc, providing continuous medial support as valgus stress rises and falls.

So the combination that best stabilizes against valgus stresses is elbow flexion with forearm rotation through supination and pronation.