Closed Chain Exercise

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Introduction

Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) exercises or closed chain exercises are exercises or movements where the distal aspect of the extremity is fixed to an object that is stationary.

With the distal part fixed, movement at any one joint in the kinetic chain requires motion as well at the other joints in the kinetic chain, therefore, both proximal and distal parts receive resistance training at the same time.

CKC exercises have gained popularity over Open Kinetic Chain (OKC) exercises because many therapists believe that CKC exercises are more reliable and functional.  Uçar et al. affirmed that for rehabilitation post ACL reconstruction, CKC exercises were more effective than OKC exercises at regaining mobility and enabling a quicker return to daily and sporting activities.

Superior eccentric contraction and co-contraction of muscles are produced by closed kinetic chain exercises. Along with that, the shear forces are reduced while adding comprehensive forces to the joints which enhances joint stability.

Image 1 and 2: One hand push up, chin up.

Characteristics of CKC exercises and the difference between OKC exercises:

Characteristic	Closed kinetic chain exercises	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 Neurophysiological Factors

Biomechanical:

• CKC techniques emphasise the sequential movement and placement of functionally related joints and therefore require coordinated and sequential muscle activation patterns to control proper joint movement.

Neurophysiological:

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

Exercises

Closed Chain Upper Body Kinetic Exercises

Examples include push-ups and derivatives, pull-ups or chin-ups, and dips. These concentrate on a co-contraction of the triceps brachii, Biceps Brachii, deltoids, pectoralis major and minor, and lower back for stabilization in various ratios depending upon the angle and leverage.

Closed Chain Lower Body Kinetic Exercises

Examples include 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.

Example of standing squat as a closed kinetic chain exercise. During this exercise, feet remain fixed to the ground, and resistance is manifested by the surface as a consequence of the individual's body weight or added weights in any form like dumbells.

Image 3 and 4: Lunge and squat

Multiple Joint Exercises

In compound lifting many muscles are engaged, simultaneously stimulate muscle growth. Compound lifting works multiple parts of the body is efficient and produces excellent results.

1. The most famous compound exercise is probably the squat, that targets numerous different muscles in your legs, such as the glutes, calves and quadriceps. You can do compound exercises that are compound by nature, such as the squat.
2. Alternatively, you could also perform compound exercises by doing two isolation exercises at the same time (such as bicep curls and calf raises).

Closed kinetic chain exercise (CKCE) corresponds closely with the exercises classified as Multiple- joint exercises. During this exercise, movement occurs at multiple levels involving muscular co-contraction. The primary benefit of this exercise is the ability to exercise numerous segments and muscle groups simultaneously.

Image 5 and 6: Compound closed chain exercises

Research Resources

CKCE on Dynamic Balance ability of Normal Healthy Adult

Several systems of the human body like the nervous, musculature, and skeletal interact with each other to maintain balance. Various exercises like open and closed kinetic chain(KC) exercises, aerobic exercises, Tai Chi exercises are used to improve balance.

Thirty-three healthy adults who have no exercise habit participated in the study to investigate whether open and closed kinetic chain exercises improve dynamic balance ability. Closed kinetic chain CKC exercises involved hip, knee, and ankle muscles, while open Kinetic chain (OKC ) exercises were isolated to the knee extensors.The final result of the study shows that the KC group, on average, started off with poorer balance than the OKC group, but finished with better balance than the OKC group which shows CKC exercises are effective.

CKC exercises and its effect in jumping performance

The research is done to find whether CKC exercise provides a superior means of optimum functional performance in healthy adults or injured individuals.

Twenty female physiotherapy students are the subject group in this study with no medical history. The result of the study showed a positive relation between closed kinetic chain exercises and jumping performance. The exercise improves vertical and long jumping performance.

CKC exercises on the balance of ankle joint

The study was conducted in 20 women in their 20s to check the effect of OKC and CKC exercises on the static and dynamic balance of ankle joint in young and healthy women. Two groups of 10 women each were assigned in which one group performed closed kinetic chain exercises and another group performed open kinetic chain exercises for 4 weeks ( 5 sets of exercises three times per week).

Conclusion: Closed kinetic chain exercises improve the dynamic balance more than Open Kinetic chain exercises. In the case of static balance, both OKC and CKC exercises improved the balance in the same ratio.

Stroke Survivors

It is found that activation of Rectus femoris and Biceps femoris was increased by CKC as well as OKC exercises but, the Gastrocnemius and Tibialis anterior activation was increased only by CKC exercises which conclude that CKC exercises play an important role in improving lower limb muscle strength, and balance in chronic stroke patients, which will improve the functional performance of patients.

Clinical Bottom Line

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