How to Understand Closed vs. Open Kinetic Chain Exercises

How to Understand Closed vs. Open Kinetic Chain Exercises

Understanding Open and Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises

Introduction to Kinetic Chain Concepts

  • The video introduces the concepts of open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises, clarifying that these terms are simpler than they may seem.
  • The presenter aims to explain the differences between OKC and CKC exercises, providing examples for better understanding.
  • The speaker is a Canadian physiotherapist who creates educational content on exercise in rehabilitation.

Definitions of Kinetic Chain Exercises

  • Open Kinetic Chain Exercises: Movements where the distal segment (e.g., hands or feet) is not fixed, allowing free movement in space.
  • Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises: Movements where the distal segment is fixed against an immovable object, such as the ground or a wall.

Examples of Upper Body Exercises

  • Push-Up: A CKC exercise where hands press against the ground to lift the body; the ground remains stationary while the body moves.
  • Chest Press: An OKC exercise involving lifting weights upwards; here, it’s the weights that move while the body stays still.

Examples of Lower Body Exercises

  • Lunge: A CKC exercise where feet push against the ground to elevate and lower the body; again, contact with a fixed surface closes off movement.
  • Straight Leg Raise Against Band: An OKC exercise where both foot and band move freely against gravity without any fixed point of contact.

Comparing Effectiveness of Each Exercise Type

  • There is no definitive answer as to which type of exercise is superior; each serves different purposes based on training goals.
  • CKC exercises are beneficial for functional training in lower body movements due to their grounding nature in real-life activities.

Movement and Engagement

Importance of Movement

  • The speaker emphasizes the significance of engaging in physical activity, suggesting that moving one's body is essential for overall well-being.
  • There is a mention of interacting with the audience through comments, indicating an openness to questions and discussions about movement or related topics.
  • The speaker expresses enthusiasm for connecting with viewers, highlighting a community aspect in promoting physical activity.
  • A light-hearted tone is encouraged, as the speaker suggests having fun while being active, reinforcing the idea that exercise should be enjoyable.
Video description

Wow, they really had to make these descriptive terms this complicated for a concept that isn't that crazy huh. Open kinetic chain exercises and closed kinetic chain exercises are terms that are used to describe different types of exercises or movement that our body performs. The main focus of what makes them different, is found in what we're pushing on. If we are moving something with our hands or feet that moves in space, or against gravity, then we're doing an open kinetic chain exercise. Think, bicep curls, leg extensions, or overhead press. If we are using our hands or feet to push on something that's NOT moving, then we are doing a closed kinetic chain exercise. Think, squats, lunges, deadlifts, pushups. Which is better depends on the situation, one isn't necessarily better all the time. Hope my perfect form demonstrations are helpful for you all out there :) New videos go up weekly, so if you're new around here click the link to subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don't miss anything new! https://bit.ly/PhysioJonahSubscribe So why watch A Physio Named Jonah? For free videos about the human body, injuries, rehabilitation, the world of Physiotherapy, and whatever other shenanigans comes along. Maybe you can learn something new and not feel like you're stuck in a classroom waiting for the bell to ring. A Physio Named Jonah is a channel created by, well, exactly who you think. The channel features primarily Physiotherapy based topics, or things that it would make sense for a Physical Therapist to weigh in on. The goal is to make these often sterile topics interesting and easily accessible to anyone with a few laughs (or forced exhales from your nose if you're alone) along the way. Jonah is a Canadian Physiotherapist who works with a primarily outpatient orthopaedic population at a clinic in Sudbury, Ontario. He completed his Master's of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, with his Bachelors of Sciences specialized in Human Kinetics coming from The University of Ottawa. He is also considered by his parents, wife(!!!) and 2 dogs to be a pretty cool guy. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Terminology 2:12 - Examples 4:40 - Which is better? 5:49 - Summary #physiotherapy #physicaltherapy #rehab #physiotherapy #openkineticchainexercise #closedkineticchainexercise #kineticmovementchains #mobility #exercise #exercises #educational