Closed Chain Exercises

Dominic S. Adolfo, PTRP

What is Closed Chain Exercises?
What is Kinetic Chain?
Difference of Open and Closed Kinematic
Exercises
Closed Chain Exercises for UE
Closed Chain Exercises for LE
Importance of Closed Chain Exercises
 Kinetic Chain
Conceptualized in 1875 by a mechanical
engineer named Franz Reuleaux

If a series of overlapping segments were

connected via pin joints, these interlocking
joints would create a system that would
allow the movement of one joint to affect
the movement of another joint within the
kinetic link
 Kinetic Chain

In 1955, Dr. Arthur Steindler adapted and

included this concept on analysis of human
movement
He suggested that the extremities be viewed
as a series of rigid, overlapping segments
and defined the kinetic chain as a
"combination of several successively
arranged joints constituting a complex
motor unit."
OPEN KINETIC CHAIN EXERCISES
 Open Kinetic Chain
Defined as a combination of successively
arranged joints in which the terminal
segment can move freely.

In an open-chain movement, the distal

aspect of the extremity, or the end of the
chain farthest from the body, moves freely
and is not fixed to an object
 Open Kinetic Chain
EXAMPLES :
Seated leg extension
Leg curl
Bench press
Dumbbell biceps curl
Lat pull-down
 Examples of Open Kinetic Chain
The leg extension is a resistance weight
training exercise that targets the quadriceps
muscle in the legs. The exercise is done using a
machine called the Leg Extension Machine.
 Examples of Open Kinetic Chain
The leg curl is an isolation exercise that targets
the hamstring muscles. The exercise involves
flexing the lower leg against resistance towards
the buttocks
 Examples of Open Kinetic Chain
The bench press is an upper body strength
training exercise that consists of pressing a weight
upwards from a supine position.
 Examples of Open Kinetic Chain
The term "biceps curl" may refer to any of a
number of weight training exercises that
target the biceps brachii muscle.
 Examples of Open Kinetic Chain
The pulldown exercise is a strength training
exercise designed to develop the latissimus
dorsi muscle.
CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN
EXERCISES
 CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN
CKCE are exercises performed where the
foot (for leg movement) or hand (for arm
movement) and doesn't move during the
exercise.

The foot/hand remains in constant contact

with a surface, usually the ground, foot
plate of a machine or machine handle
 CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN
Defined closed-kinetic chain exercise as a
condition or environment in which the
distal segment meets considerable external
resistance and restrains movement
In a closed-chain movement, the distal end
of the extremity is fixed, emphasizing joint
compression and, in turn, stabilizing the
joints.
 BIOMECHANICAL FACTOR

CKC techniques emphasize the sequential

movement and placement of functionally
related joints and therefore require
coordinated and sequential muscle
activation patterns to control proper joint
movement.
 NEUROPHYSIOLOGIC FACTOR

Closed kinetic chain exercises stimulate the

proprioceptive system by proprioceptive
feedback to initiate and control muscle
activation patterns.
 Theory / Evidence
There are typically two kinds of external
forces: shear and compression during
kinetic exercises
1. Pincivero et al. found that closed chain
kinetic exercise (CKCE) reduced shear
force and increased compression force in
the knee joint.
2. Escamilla et al. found that there was a
large amount of quadriceps activity during
both exercises
 Theory/Evidence
CKCE found that CKCE was a safer and
more beneficial from of exercise for
rehabilitation or strengthening
However, according to a recent study,
throughout the entire flexion (bending of a
joint) range, the open kinetic chain stresses
are not supraphysiologic (beyond normal
physiologic range) nor significantly higher
than the CKCE stresses
 Theory/Evidence
Other findings conflict with previous
research, which state that open kinetic
exercises are riskier. However, OKCE may
be important alternatives for patients who
have undergone an operation and may feel
too unstable on their feet to do closed
CKCE.
 Theory/Evidence
Based on a review of data, it does not appear
that clinicians should completely abandon
more traditional OKCE and replace them
with CKCE in all rehabilitation or
strengthening cases. Both types of exercise
may be modified to minimize the risk of
applying excessive strain on injured
ligaments and joints.
 Examples of Closed Kinetic Chain
Squat is a compound, full body exercise that
trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips
and buttocks, quadriceps hamstrings, as well as
strengthening the bones, ligaments and
insertion of the tendons throughout the lower
body
Proper Squatting
 Front Squat
Using a hook grip, rest the barbell on the meaty
part of your shoulders in the front. Perform your
squats as you usually would. Keep in mind that
during a front squat, the torso should not lean
forward as much as a back squat. The upper half
of your body should remain mostly upright.
 Overhead Squat
Start by testing out your shoulders range of
motion by moving your arms in backwards circles.
Remember how it feels at the point where your
arms are wide apart, overhead, and you can no
longer move them backwards without bringing
them below head-height.
 Single Leg Split Squat
Stand with a bench or box directly behind you,
and rest the top of one foot on it. Center your
weight on your front foot- the bench your back
foot is resting on is purely for balance, not for
supporting weight. Perform your squats with
your front leg, then switch
 Pistol Squat
Center your weight on one foot and extend the
other leg out in front of you. Keeping your
weight on your heel, squat until your bum is
below the hips, then rise back up
 Wall Slides
Enhances the function of your shoulder
blades, which can help improve posture and
shoulder health.
 Steps on Doing Wall Slides
Lean your head, upper back, and butt
against the wall.
Place your hands and arms against the wall
in the "highfive" position, your elbows bent
90 degrees and your upper arms at shoulder
height.
Hold for 1 second.
Don't allow your head, upper back, or butt
to lose contact with the wall.
Proper Wall Slide Exercise
 Lunges
A lunge can refer to any position of the
human body where one leg is positioned
forward with knee bent and foot flat on the
ground while the other leg is positioned
behind.
Long Lunge emphasizes the gluteus
maximus
Short Lunges emphasizes the quadriceps
Body Weight Lunge
 Lunge with Biceps Curl
Grab a pair of dumbbells and hold them at
arms length next to your sides, your palms
facing each other. Stand tall with your feet
hip-width apart
 Goblet Reverse Lunge
Hold a dumbbell vertically against your
chest, with both hands cupping it (a). Step
backward with your right leg and lower
your body into a lunge (b). Pause, then
return to the starting position. Repeat on
the other side
 Reverse Lunge and Rotate
Grab a dumbbell and hold it by the ends, just
below your chin. Stand with your feet less than
shoulder-width apart (a). Step backward with
your right leg and lower your body into a lunge.
As you lunge, rotate your upper body toward the
right (b). Pause, then return to the starting
position. Repeat on the other side.
 Dumbbell Lateral Lunge
Hold a pair of dumbbells at arms length next to
your sides (a). Lift your left foot and take a big
step to your left as you push your hips backward
and lower your body by dropping your hips and
bending your left knee (b). Pause, then quickly
push yourself back to the starting position.
Repeat on the other side.
 Stair Stepper
Usually use stepper machines
Regular stepper machines and stair climber
Both kinds of stair steppers engage the large
muscles of your lower body, just like
climbing real stairs. Muscles worked include
your glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves.
Regular Stair Stepper
Stair Climber
 Elliptical Trainer
Is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate
stair climbing, walking, or running without
causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence
decreasing the risk of impact injuries.
Versa Climber
 Push Up
A push-up (or press-up) is a common calisthenics
exercise performed in a prone position by raising
and lowering the body using the arms. Push-ups
exercise the pectoral muscles, triceps, and
anterior deltoids, with ancillary benefits to the
rest of the deltoids, serratus anterior,
coracobrachialis and the midsection as a whole.
Previously known as floor dips
Regular Push Up
 Dips
Dip is an exercise used in strength training.
Narrow, shoulder-width dips primarily train the
triceps, with major synergists being the anterior
deltoid, the pectoralis muscles (sternal, clavicular,
and minor), and the rhomboid muscles of the
back (in that order). Wide arm training places
additional emphasis on the pectoral muscles,
similar in respect to the way a wide grip bench
press would focus more on the pectorals and less
on the triceps.
Dips
Dips
 Leg Press
The leg press is a weight training exercise in
which the individual pushes a weight or
resistance away from them using their legs.
The term leg press also refers to the
apparatus used to perform this exercise. The
leg press can be used to evaluate an athlete's
overall lower body strength (from knee joint
to hip).
 Two Types of Leg Press
The diagonal or vertical 'sled' type
leg press. Weight disks (plates) are
attached directly to the sled, which is
mounted on rails. The user sits below the
sled and pushes it upward with their feet.
These machines normally include adjustable
safety brackets that prevent the user from
being trapped under the weight
Diagonal Leg Press
 Seated Leg Press
The 'cable' type leg press, or 'seated leg
press', commonly found on multigyms. The
user sits upright and pushes forward with
their feet onto a plate that is attached to the
weight stack by means of a long steel cable.
Seated Leg Press
What is the Difference of OKCE
vs CKCE?
 Closed kinetic Open kinetic chain
Characterisctic
chain exercices exercises
Stress pattern Linear Rotary
Number of joint
Multiple One primary
axes
Nature of joint Both segments move One stationary, other
segments simultaneously mobile
Number of moving Multiple joint
Isolated joint motion
joints movements
Planes of movement Multiple (triplanar) One (single)
Isolation of muscle
Muscular Significant co- group, minimal
involvement contraction muscular co-
contraction
Significant functionally
Movement pattern Often non-functional
oriented
 Why are Closed Chain Exercises Preferred
to Open Chain Exercises?
They:
1 - Make compressive forces, while open-chain
ones make shearing forces,
2 - Are nearer to activities of daily living,
3 - Use multiple joints in activity, while open
chain ones use a single joint,
4 - Work multiple muscle groups simultaneously
rather than concentrating on just one, as many
open-chain exercises do.
 Thank You and Good Day !!!

References
Ellenbecker TS, Davies GJ. Closed kinetic chain
exercises. A comprehensive guide to
multiple-joint exercises. J Chiropr Med
2002;1(4):200
Therapeutic Exercise. Foundations and
Techniques. 6th EDITION. CarolynKisner, MS,
PT.