Open Chain Exercise
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The Kinetic Chain is a way of describing human movement and it can either be an open kinetic chain or a closed kinetic chain. An open kinetic chain is defined as “a combination of successively arranged joints in which the terminal segments can move freely” Thus an open chain movement is when the peripheral segment/joint of an extremity is free to move. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
| Characteristic |
Open kinetic chain exercises Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
|
Example: seated knee extension[1] |
| Stress pattern |
Rotary |
The primary stress to the joint is rotation of the proximal tibia on the distal femur |
| Number of joint axes |
One primary |
Knee extension primarily occur in the sagittal plane |
| Nature of joint segments |
One stationary, other mobile |
|
| Number of moving joints |
Isolated joint motion |
The femur remains stationary while the tibia is moving |
| Planes of movement |
One (single) |
|
| Muscular involvement |
Isolation of muscle group activation |
Minimal muscle co-contraction is used to do the movement |
| Movement pattern |
Often non-functional |
Biomechanical and neurophysiological factors[edit | edit source]
OKC exercises allow for motion in the distal segment and movement is restricted to a single joint. This will include exercises to improve strength and range of motion. 12 Characteristics of typical non-weight bearing activities: 12
- Increased distraction and rotational forces
- Increased acceleration forces
- Decreased resistance forces
- Increased deformation of joint and muscle mechanoreceptors
- Increased concentric acceleration and eccentric deceleration forces
- Promotion of functional activities
- Requires agonist-antogist force couples
