Flexor-Pronator Mass Training Exercises Selectively Activate Forearm Musculature.
Takumi Fukunaga, Connor Fedge, Timothy Tyler and 5 others
PMID 36793573WHAT IT FOUND
Wrist ulnar deviation band work activated the flexor carpi ulnaris more than the other two medial forearm muscles.
Forearm pronation band work activated the flexor digitorum superficialis and pronator teres more than the flexor carpi ulnaris. In 10 healthy men, both exercises were needed.
Key findings
01Wrist ulnar deviation with a resistance band produced higher normalized peak EMG in the flexor carpi ulnaris (40.3%) than in the flexor digitorum superficialis (19.5%) or pronator teres (21.5%).
02Forearm pronation with a resistance band produced higher normalized peak EMG in the flexor digitorum superficialis (63.9%) and pronator teres (73.0%) than in the flexor carpi ulnaris (27.4%).
03The ulnar deviation exercise elicited moderate activity in the flexor carpi ulnaris and pronator teres, and low activity in the flexor digitorum superficialis; the pronation exercise elicited very high activity in the flexor digitorum superficialis and pronator teres, and moderate activity in the flexor carpi ulnaris.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 10 healthy male participants recruited as a convenience sample. It measured muscle activity during two resistance band exercises, not strength gains, elbow stability, throwing mechanics, or injury outcomes. The cross-sectional design cannot show training effects from these exercises. Only the right proximal forearm was tested. Resistance was chosen by each participant to feel like 5 out of 10, so band load varied.
Declared interests
The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these band exercises prevent or treat ulnar collateral ligament injury. The study measured forearm muscle activity during two exercises in 10 healthy men and did not test training effects, elbow stability, throwing mechanics, or clinical outcomes.