supinated

Supinated is an anatomical term describing a position or motion in which a part is rotated to place the palmar (palm) surface upward or forward. In the upper limb, forearm supination occurs when the radius and ulna are parallel and the palm faces anteriorly in the standard anatomical position. In the lower limb, foot supination refers to the outward roll of the foot during gait, typically involving inversion and plantarflexion of the ankle.

Forearm supination is produced mainly by the supinator muscle and the biceps brachii, especially when the elbow is flexed. The opposite motion, forearm pronation, occurs via the pronator teres and pronator quadratus. These actions are paired and counterbalance each other in many activities, from daily tasks to athletic movements.

In fitness and sports, a supinated grip (often described as an underhand grip) is where the palms face toward the body or upward, as in barbell curls or certain pull-up variations. The term is also used in discussing foot mechanics: some individuals exhibit a supinated foot pattern during the gait cycle, which can be normal in certain phases but may be associated with reduced shock absorption if excessive. Excessive foot supination, or oversupination, is sometimes linked with higher arches and an increased risk of injuries such as ankle sprains or stress on the foot’s lateral structures; management may include footwear adjustments, orthotics, and targeted strengthening or flexibility programs.

Etymology derives from Latin supinare, meaning to lay flat on the back or to turn upward. Supinated describes the position itself or the action producing it, and is contrasted with pronated.