What are open kinetic chain exercises?

Open kinetic chain exercises are characterized by the free movement of the extremities, allowing them to move independently from one another and from the body’s trunk. This type of exercise typically involves using weights or resistance that is not fixed to the ground, enabling dynamic motion at a joint. For instance, leg extensions or arm curls are classic examples where the limb is free to move through its range of motion while the proximal segment (the body) remains stationary.

In contrast, exercises with fixed positions and movements, such as those where the body or specific parts are anchored, do not qualify as open kinetic chain because they restrict the degree of freedom of motion. Similarly, exercises performed while lying down can incorporate both open and closed kinetic chain movements depending on whether the extremities are free to move or fixed. Lastly, static exercises that do not involve movement are typically isometric contractions, which do not relate to the kinetic chain concept at all, as they do not involve movement of the limbs or joints. Therefore, the nature of open kinetic chain exercises revolves around the free movement facilitated by the setup of the exercise rather than fixed positions or static engagements.