Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biomechanics of the Elbow Joint in Overhead Athletes

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Elbow and Sport

  • 1586 Accesses

Abstract

The upper limb forms a kinematic chain, where all the elements are interrelated and functionally connected in order to optimalize its function. The basement is a shoulder girdle, the central part is an elbow, and the effector is the hand. These elements of the kinematic chain are strictly interconnected, and any elongation of the arm of the force by the sport attribute, for instance, tennis racquet, changes dramatically strains evoked at the level of the elbow joint. Majority of investigations of elbow biomechanics, used scales, concern daily living activities or are devoted to problems related to prosthetic design. The sport elbow function and athlete expectations are so complex that we should expect a new approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  1. An K. Biomechanics, basic relevant concepts. Section I – basic science. In: Morrey BF, editor. Joint replacement arthroplasty. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1991. p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  2. An K, Zobitz M, Morrey BF. Biomechanics of the elbow. In: Morrey BF, Sanchez-Sotelo J, editors. The elbow and its disorders. Philadelphia: Saunders-Elsevier; 2009. p. 39–63.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Amis A, Dowson D, Miller J, et al. Biomechanical aspects of the elbow: joint forces related to prosthesis design. IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag. 1981;10:65.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Amis AA, Dowson D, Unsworth A, et al. An examination of the elbow articulation with particular reference to variation of the carrying angle. Eng Med. 1977;6:76–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Amis A, Dowson D, Wright V. Muscle strengths and musculoskeletal geometry of the upper limb. Eng Med. 1977;8:41–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Amis AA, Dowson D, Wright V. Elbow joint force predictions for some strenuous isometric actions. J Biomech. 1979;13:765–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Amis AA, Miller JH. The elbow. Clin Rheum Dis. 1982;8:571–93.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Amis A, Miller J. The mechanisms of elbow fractures: an investigation using impact tests in vitro. Injury. 1995;26:163–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Amis A, Miller J, Dowson D, et al. Axial forces in the forearm. In: Stokes IAF, editor. Mechanical factors and the skeleton. London: Libbey; 1981. p. 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Askew L, An K, Morrey BF, et al. Isometric elbow strength in normal individuals. Clin Orthop. 1987;222:261–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Basmajian J, DeLuca C. Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Carlsoo S, Johansson O. Stabilization of and load on the elbow joint in some protective movements. Acta Anatom Scand. 1962;48:224–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chao EY. Experimental methods for biomechanical measurements of joint kinematics. In: Fenberg B, Fleming D, editors. CRC handbook of engineering in medicine and biology; Section B: Instruments and measurements. West Palm Beach: CRC Press; 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chavan P, Duquin T, Bisson L. Repair of the ruptured distal biceps tendon: a systematic review. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(8):1618–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Eckstein F, Lohe F, Muller-Gerbl M, et al. Stress distribution in the trochlear notch. A model of bicentric load transmission through joints. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1994;76:647–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fleisig G, Escamilla R. Biomechanics of the elbow in the throwing athlete. Oper Tech Sports Med. 1996;4(2):62–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gribble P, Ostry D. Independent coactivation of shoulder and elbow muscles. Exp Brain Res. 1998;125(3):355–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Halls A, Travill A. Transmission of pressures across the elbow joint. Anat Rec. 1964;150:245–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hamilton C, Glousman R, Jobe F, et al. Dynamic stability of the elbow, electromyographic analyses of flexor pronator group and the extensor group in pitchers with valgus instability. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1996;5:547–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kibler W. Clinical biomechanics of the elbow in tennis: implications for evaluation and diagnosis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;26:1203–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. King J, Brelsford H, Tullos H. Analysis of the pitching arm of the professional baseball pitcher. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1969;67:116–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Le Bozec S, Maton B, Cnockaert J. The synergy of elbow extensor muscles during dynamic work in man; Part 1. Elbow extension. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1980;44:250–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Long C, Conrad P, Hall E, et al. Intrinsic-extrinsic muscle control of the hand in power group and precision handling. An electromyographic study. J Bone Joint Surg. 1970;53A:853–67.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Morrey BF. Injury of the flexors of the elbow. In: Morrey BF, editor. The elbow and it’s disorders. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2000. p. 468–78.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Morrey B, An K. Functional evaluation of the elbow. In: Morrey B, Sanchez- Sotelo J, editors. The elbow and its disorders. Philadelphia: Saunders-Elsevier; 2009. p. 80–91.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  26. Nordin M, Frankel V. Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  27. O’Driscoll S, Bell D, Morrey BF. Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1991;73:440.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. O’Driscoll S, Morrey BF, An K. Intraarticular pressure and capacity of the elbow. Arthroscopy. 1990;6:100–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Plancher K, Minnich J. Sports-specific injuries. Clin Sports Med. 1996;15:207–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Pomianowski S, O’Driscoll S, Neale P, et al. The effect of forearm rotation on laxity and stability of the elbow. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2001;16:401–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ray R, Johnson R, Jameson R. Rotation of the forearm: an experimental study of pronation and supination. J Bone Joint Surg. 1951;33A:993–6.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Roberts T. Cinematography in biomechanical investigation. In: Selected topics on biomechanics: proceedings of the CIC symposium on biomechanics. Chicago: The Athletic Institute; 1971. p. 41–50

    Google Scholar 

  33. Schreiber J, Russell F, Hotchkiss R, et al. An online video investigation into the mechanism of elbow dislocation. J Hand Surg. 2013;38A:488–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Söbjerg J, Ovesen J, Gundorf C. The stability of the elbow following excision of the radial head and transection of the annular ligament. An experimental study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1987;106:248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Söbjerg J, Ovesen J, Nielsen S. Experimental elbow instability after transection of medial collateral ligament. Clin Orthop. 1987;218:186.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Sprigings E, Marshall R, Elliott B, et al. A three-dimensional kinematic method for determining the effectiveness of arm segment rotations in producing racquet-head speed. J Biomech. 1994;27:245–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Toyoshima S, Hoshikawa T, Miyashita M. Contributions of the body parts of throwing performance. In: Nelson RC, Morehouse CA, editors. Biomechanics IV. Baltimore: University Park Press; 1974. p. 169–74.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gamma Medical Centre, Warsaw, Poland

    Grzegorz Adamczyk

Authors
  1. Grzegorz Adamczyk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Grzegorz Adamczyk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nuovo Ospedale di Sassuolo, Sassuolo, Italy

    Luigi Adriano Pederzini

  2. Dept of Orthopedic Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands

    Denise Eygendaal

  3. Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Denti

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 ESSKA

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Adamczyk, G. (2016). Biomechanics of the Elbow Joint in Overhead Athletes. In: Pederzini, L., Eygendaal, D., Denti, M. (eds) Elbow and Sport. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48742-6_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48742-6_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-48740-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-48742-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation