Kinetic chain is a term used to describe the way a human body moves.
Closed-chain exercises mean your body is pushing against a fixed surface while open-chain exercises are freely moving.
This happens as a chain reaction.
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Medicine borrowed the engineering term kinetic chain to describe this set of linked movements.
This article discusses the kinetic chain as well as examples of open-chain and closed-chain exercises.
A kinetic chain can be described as either upper or lower.
Kinetic chain exercises are either open or closed.
In other words, the hand or foot is free to move and not pressing against a surface.
This allows a muscle or muscle group to act in isolation.
This can be beneficial early in a rehabilitation program or when improving aesthetics, such as for a bodybuilder.
However, closed kinetic chain exercises may be more beneficial in some circumstances.
Closed kinetic chain movements are often used to strengthencore musclesand stabilizeposture.
2013;25(6):671-674. doi: 10.1589/jpts.25.671
Brookbush Institute.Kinetic chain.
International Sports Science Association.Kinetic chain exercises: open versus closed.
2013;25(6):671-4. doi:10.1589/jpts.25.671
