Closed v Open Chain

[Guest guest]

Further thoughts on Kinetic Chain awareness.

I have received several private e-mails regarding my posting about

Kinetic Chain awareness. (I am posting this to the list since a couple

of my " off list " replies were bounced for whatever reason)

Please note that my post was " my translation " of Steindler's concepts

and some of what I said may not be accepted by all gurus.

One of the recurring questions is, " So what does this awareness of " open

and closed chains " do to help me in my training? "

Practical application, I think, is in understanding the " chain " involved

and how the body produces or reacts to force, through these linkages.

Not only the movers but the stabilizers and stabilization mechanisms need

to be recognized. Ithink this " dynamic force chain " visualization helps us to

determine what types of conditioning and training is required.

This dynamic, plastic, force producing machine we call a body, is unique

in its ability to create and apply forces in so many combinations. The

ability to move, not only requires primary movers, but also the

stabilization mechanisms that create specific, dynamic platforms from

which to absorb/create/transmit that force.

It is like a magic chain that can be everything from a limp noodle to a,

moving machine, to a solid, rigid support. It can not only " transform "

itself, but it can also " move " itself and other things, or resist

outside forces and even overcome them. The awareness to see and

understand these roles and transformations is the reason the concept of

" Open and Closed Chains " might be of importance.

I would say that there are at least 4 basic types of chains:

1) completely open kinetic chain = where there is no base and the action

is performed in air or water (diving, swimming, gymnastics) or without a

specific, fixed base like sit-ups. In this chain, the body transmits

force through itself to move itself or parts of itself.

Imagine a real chain (link type) just lying on the floor. All segments

of it are free to move.

2) open kinetic chain with a fixed base = like standing and dancing,

walking, jumping. In this chain the body transits force from the base

(used as a platform) through itself to support or move itself.

Imagine the chain is now anchored to a support on one end, but the other

end is free to move.

3) closed kinetic chain by outside load = a fixed base where the chain

is closed by adding a force such as a standing barbell press. In this

chain, the body transmits force from the fixed base, though itself and

to an outside force to either resist, or overcome the outside force.

Imagine the chain is anchored at one end and now has a weight on the

other restricting its " free movement " and closing the chain.

4) fully closed chain with fixed base and immovable load. In this

chain, the body produces force against the base and an immovable outside

force, which produces no movement.

Imagine the chain is anchored to immovable objects on each end and it is

not only closed but immobile.

The major differences are the that when the body transfers force to

itself, it is " open " and when it translates force from or to both ends

against an outside load or force, it is " closed " .

Now I might add that my translated definitions may not make

categorization any easier. For example: how would you categorize a

standing, cross-over cable flye?? Did you say " open kinetic chain " ??

What if you made one cable immovable and only moved the other arm using

the immovable arm as a base?? Did you say " closed kinetic chain " ??

Remember the base does not have to be your feet. Oh you're doing

hanging leg raises with iron shoes? Now that is a long kinetic chain.

Is it open? or closed? Without iron shoes? Now you've got it!

I have contemplated these very actions. (and hundreds more)

I have a good one. After much thought, I still find it difficult to

classify the " pushup " . Is it completely closed with two immovable

bases? Is it completely open like a crunch/situp? Obviously we have

movement so it is kinetic, but it does not move anything except the body.

What do you think? and why? (it might help to also assess the barbell

rollout, and the V-up)

A. Casler

Century City, CA

TRI-VECTOR 3-D Force Systems