What muscle extends the elbow in an overhead throw?

The muscle responsible for extending the elbow during an overhead throw is the triceps. This muscle is located at the back of the upper arm and is primarily involved in arm extension. When performing an overhead throw, the triceps contract to straighten the arm after the elbow has been flexed during the windup and throwing motion. This extension is crucial for generating force and transferring energy through the arm to propel the object being thrown.

In contrast, while the biceps assist in elbow flexion and are engaged during the initial stages of the throwing motion, they are not the primary muscle used for extension. The deltoids, located in the shoulder region, are primarily responsible for shoulder abduction and flexion, playing a vital role in lifting the arm but not directly extending the elbow. Pectoral muscles, located in the chest, facilitate movement of the shoulder joint and are more involved in the forward motion of the throw rather than specifically in extending the elbow. Thus, the triceps are the primary muscle that allows for the accurate and forceful extension of the elbow in an overhead throwing action.