Open chain exercise

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

An 'open chain' exercise in one in which the end of the limb being exercised is free from contact with any surface for some part of the excursion.

Patient seated on chair with leg extended.
Full arc extension - open kinetic chain.
Patient lying on plinth with one leg bent for support, and the other leg lifted and extended.
Beginning of straight leg raise - open kinetic chain.
Patient standing, one hand on hip and the other supported on a chair back, with leg extended to the side.
Hip abduction - open kinetic chain.

Open kinetic chain

The concept of the kinetic chain is that each part of the limb being exercised is connected in a functional chain. A kinetic chain is the notion that these joints and segments have an effect on one another during movement.

When one part of the chain moves, it affects the next member of the chain. During exercise, the physiotherapist may recommend that the exercise regime should focus upon the chain being open or closed.

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