Athletic Training Practice Exam

To prevent medial epicondylitis, which action should be avoided?

1. Wrist flexion during a golf follow-through

2. Excessive elbow valgus when throwing

3. Hyperextension of the wrist in tennis

4. Wrist flexion during a racquetball shot

The correct answer is: Hyperextension of the wrist in tennis

To prevent medial epicondylitis, it's essential to focus on the activities and positions that place excessive stress on the tendons and ligaments around the medial elbow. The correct answer relates to the biomechanics of the wrist and elbow during activities. Hyperextension of the wrist in tennis can contribute to the overuse of the flexor-pronator muscles, which are attached at the medial epicondyle of the elbow. When the wrist is hyperextended, it places additional strain on these muscles, which can lead to inflammation and pain characteristic of medial epicondylitis. Thus, avoiding hyperextension while performing tennis strokes helps to decrease the risk of this condition. Understanding the other options provides further context: wrist flexion during a golf follow-through, excessive elbow valgus when throwing, and wrist flexion during a racquetball shot are activities that primarily involve wrist and elbow movements but may not inherently involve the same level of stress that hyperextension might place on the medial elbow structures. Each of these actions requires careful technique to prevent injury; however, hyperextension poses a more direct risk in the context of medial epicondylitis prevention.