Closed Chain Exercise

Original Editors - Vanderpooten Willem

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Introduction

Closed kinetic chain exercise or closes chain exercise (CKC) is an exercise or movement where the distal aspect of the extremity is fixed to an object that is stationary.

Here are some characteristics of CKC and the differences with open kinetic chain exercises: 

Characterisctic	Closed kinetic chain exercices	Open kinetic chain exercises
Stress pattern	Linear	Rotary
Number of joint axes	Multiple	One primary
Nature of joint segments	Both segments move simultaneously	One stationary, other mobile
Number of moving joints	Multiple joint movements	Isolated joint motion
Planes of movement	Multiple (triplanar)	One (single)
Muscular involvement	Significant co-contraction	Isolation of muscle group, minimal muscular co-contraction
Movement pattern	Significant functionally oriented	Often non-functional

Biomechanical and neurophysiologic factors

Biomechanical:

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:

Closed kinetic chain exercises stimulate the proprioceptive system by proprioceptive feedback to initiate and control muscle activation patterns. 

Exercises

1. Closed chain upperbody kinetic exercises

Push-ups and their derivatives, pull-ups or chin-ups, and dips. These concentrate on a co-contraction of the M. triceps, M. biceps, M. deltoids, M. pectoral may and min, and lower back for stabilization in various ratios depending upon angle and leverage.

E.g., CKC upperbody
2. Closed chain lowerbody kinetic exercises

Squats, deadlifts, lunges, power cleans, and leg presses. These concentrate on a co-contraction of the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, soleus, and gastrocnemius muscles. The joints of movement include the knee, hip, and ankle

Clinical Bottom Line

Many factors should be considered when deciding to use open kinetic chain exercises versus closed kinetic chain exercises. The patient's condition and stage of rehabilitation will aid in the clinician's judgement of exercise prescription.

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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