Q: My physical therapist has recommended closed-chain exercises for rehabilitating my injured knee. A guy at the gym told me open-chain exercises would be better because they are non-weight bearing. I am not sure whom to believe. What is the difference between closed-chain exercises and open-chained exercises? What type should I be doing? - L.A., Denver, CO

A: Let me start by saying that I will not contradict what a medical professional has suggested to you, nor can I effectively recommend one type of exercise over another without evaluating you. In general, I'd tend to believe the medical professional over a guy at the gym any day. I will, however, explain the differences between closed-chain and open-chain exercises to help clear up your confusion.

Closed-chain exercises for the lower body are those exercises that are completed while the feet are in contact with a solid structure such as the floor. This type of exercise is a weight-bearing activity and involves stabilizer muscles, as well as the targeted muscles to successfully complete the movement. Closed-chain exercises are commonly used for rehabilitation, as they closely mimic or copy the actions of the body, thus improving the functional rehabilitation and use of an injured site. In addition, closed-chain exercises may improve body awareness and control, which carries over into all areas of your life. Closed-chain exercises for the lower body include squats (toes forward, toes turned out, wide stance or narrow stance), lunges (walking, standing or on a platform), deadlifts (straight leg or bent knee), standing heel lifts or plantar flexion (toes forward, turned out or turned in) and stepping exercises.

Open-chain exercises are non-weight bearing; the end of the exercise chain remains open or free. This type of exercise also may be used in rehabilitation, depending on the injury and the medical provider. Open-chain exercises have the distinction of being able to isolate a particular muscle or muscle group. This type of exercise often is used with people new to exercise or those who do not have the neuromuscular control to complete closed-chain exercises with success. Often, open-chained exercises may be used at the beginning of a rehabilitation program to increase specific muscular strength before asking the muscle to complete the more complex closed-chain exercises. Some examples of open-chain exercises for the lower body include seated leg extensions, leg curls (seated or lying), side-lying hip abduction and adduction, seated plantar flexion and dorsi flexion, and seated hip abduction and adduction.

Source: fitlinxx.com