Editorial Commentary: The Limitations of Elbow Valgus Torque as an Injury Predictor

Abstract

Elbow valgus torque is often used as a proxy for ulnar collateral ligament injury risk in baseball, yet evidence supporting it as a prospective predictor remains weak. Limited data ranges and reliance on single-session biomechanics restrict its usefulness and inflate noise. Further, assumptions about anthropometric data, simplified joint models, and potential motion-capture inaccuracies can obscure the true loading experienced by the elbow. Because torque is tightly linked to fastball velocity across substantial ranges, separating the effects of torque from overall pitching performance is challenging. Consequently, efforts to modify pitching mechanics solely to reduce valgus torque for injury prevention will likely hinder performance. While valgus torque can be useful for monitoring workload over time, it is poorly suited as a standalone metric for predicting injury risk.