Final answer:
The bones of the forearm are under tension, not compression, during a handstand as they support the body's weight and work with the muscles to maintain stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the bones of the forearm are under compression during a handstand is false. When in a handstand, the muscles of the arms, including the shoulders, biceps, and triceps, work to stabilize the position, and the bones of the forearm, namely the radius and ulna, undergo tension as they support the body's weight. This tension is similar to the force exerted by the biceps in lifting an object, as indicated in Figure 9.25 where biceps create a lifting force on the forearm. Additionally, maintaining a handstand involves many joints and ligaments, such as those supported by the ulnar collateral ligament and pronation and supination movements of the forearm.
In a handstand, the bones of the forearm are under compression. This means that they are being pushed together, causing pressure on the bones. When you hold a handstand, the weight of your body is pressing down on your forearms, resulting in compression.