Dr. Mike Marshall's Pitching Book; Chapter Fifteen

Coaching Baseball Pitchers By Michael G. Marshall, Ph.D. Copyright 2007
Chapter Fifteen: The Elbow Joint
1. Elbow Joint Bones

     The movement of the Ulna bone is the Elbow Joint bone of interest. In the Elbow Joint, the Ulna bone articulates with the Trochlea of the medial side of the distal end of the Humerus bone.

     The relationship between the Coronoid Process of the Ulna bone and the Coronoid Fossa of the Humerus bone determines the flexion range of motion of the Elbow Joint.

     The relationship between the Olecranon Process of the Ulna bone and the Olecranon Fossa of the Humerus bone determine the extension range of motion of the Elbow Joint.

     The three-part Ulnar Collateral Ligament medially secures the proximal end of the Ulna bone to the Trochlea of the Humerus bone.

     The anterior surface of the Olecranon Process of the Ulna bone has trochlear ridges that slide into grooves of the Trochlear end of the Humerus bone.

     The anterior surface of the Olecranon Process of the Ulna bone has a radial notch on the lateral side where the head of the Radius bone rotates.

     Because the Ulna bone only moves anteriorly and posteriorly, the Elbow Joints can only flex and extend.

     a. Ulna Bone

         1) Anterior Surface

     The anterior surface of the Ulna bone has two bony landmarks.

01. The Coronoid Process anteriorly protrudes from the proximal (elbow) end of the Ulna bone.
02. The Styloid Process posteriorly protrudes from the distal (wrist) end of the Ulna bone.

     The anterior surface of the Ulna bone has one tendon attachment.

01. The tendon of the Brachialis muscle attaches to Coronoid Process of the Ulna bone.

     The anterior surface of the Ulna bone has two areas from which primary pitching muscles arise.

01. Flexor Digitorum Profundus muscle arises from the proximal two-thirds of the Ulna bone.
02. The Pronator Quadratus muscle arises from lines on the distal one-quarter of the Ulna bone.

         2) Posterior Surface

     The posterior surface of the Ulna bone has one bony landmark.

01. The Olecranon Process lies at the proximal (elbow) end of the Ulna bone.

     The posterior surface of the Ulna bone has two tendon attachments.

01. The three heads of the Triceps Brachii muscle form a common tendon that attaches to the Olecranon Process of the Ulna bone.
02. The tendon of the Anconeus muscle attaches to the proximal one-fifth of the Ulna bone.

     The posterior surface of the Ulna bone has and one area from which a muscle arises.

01. The Supinator muscle arises from the medial surfaces of the proximal end of the Ulna bone.

2. Elbow Joint Kinesiological Actions

     The movement of the Ulna bone defines the kinesiological actions of the Elbow Joint. The anterior surface of the Ulna bone moves closer to or farther away from the anterior surface of the Humerus bone.

1. Elbow Joint Extension: When muscles contract that move the anterior surface of the Ulna bone away from the anterior surface of the Humerus bone.
2. Elbow Joint Flexion: When muscles contract that move the anterior surface of the Ulna bone closer to the anterior surface of the Humerus bone.

3. Elbow Joint Muscles

     At one end, Elbow Joint muscles attach to the Ulna bone.

     a. Anconeus

     The Anconeus muscle attaches to the lateral surfaces of the olecranon process of the Ulna bone and to the posterior surfaces of lateral epicondyle of the Humerus bone. Therefore, when the Anconeus muscle contracts, these structures move closer together. This means that the Anconeus muscle extends the Elbow Joint.

     Because, during the acceleration phase of the baseball pitching motion, baseball pitchers must powerfully extend the Elbow Joint of their pitching arm, the Anconeus muscle extends the Ulna bone.

     b. Brachialis

     The Brachialis muscle attaches to the coronoid process of the Ulna bone and to the anterior surface of the distal one-half of the Humerus bone. Therefore, when the Brachialis muscle contracts, these structures move closer together. This means that the Brachialis muscle flexes the Elbow Joint.

     Because, during the deceleration of the baseball pitching motion, baseball pitchers must safely return the Ulna bone to its normal resting position, the Brachialis muscle flexes the Ulna bone.

     c. Triceps Brachii

     The Triceps Brachii muscle attaches to the olecranon process of the Ulna bone and to the infraglenoid tuberosity of the Scapula bone, to the lateral, posterior surface of the Humerus bone and to the distal one-half of the posterior surface of the Humerus bone. Therefore, when the Triceps Brachii muscle contracts, these structures move closer together. This means that the Triceps Brachii muscle extends the Elbow Joint.

     Because, during the acceleration phase of the baseball pitching motion, baseball pitchers must powerfully extend the Elbow Joint of their pitching arm, the Triceps Brachii muscle extends the Ulna bone.

4. The Kinesiological Actions of the Elbow Joint During the Marshall Baseball Pitching Motion

     During the acceleration phase of the Marshall baseball pitching motion, baseball pitchers need to powerfully mioanglosly extend their pitching elbow. However, to be able to use their Triceps Brachii muscle to extend their pitching elbow they must not use their Brachialis muscle. Therefore, if they generate any centripetal force that slings their pitching forearm laterally away from their body, then, because it is not antogonistic to the Triceps Brachii muscle, they have to use their Pronator Teres muscle to mioanglosly flex their elbow joint.

     During the deceleration phase of the Marshall baseball pitching motion, baseball pitchers need to powerfully flex their pitching elbow. However, because it is antagonistic to the Triceps Brachii muscle, they cannot use their Brachialis muscle. Instead, baseball pitchers must use their Pronator Teres muscle to safely decelerate the Ulna bone in my baseball pitching motion.

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