Closed kinetic chain exercise
Closed kinetic chain exercise has been studied in 5 papers since 2016: 3 trials in people, 2 reviews; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Oct 12, 2026: “Effects of kinesiotherapy on functional capacity and pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: an integrative review”.
5 papers study it8 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 5
“No significant differences were observed among groups for pain (VAS) and function (WOMAC) scores.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: Gachon University and 5 more
- Human trial3
Studies in people
3 studies gave closed kinetic chain exercise to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves knee extension strength+122% (mean difference = 10.8 Nm; 95% CI, 7.8 to 13.8)
up: Improves gait function
no change: Has no effect on knee pain
Randomized trial12 peopleWomenelderly12 weeks
Older adults; post-TKA
Scientific reports, Apr 10, 2026
down: Decreases center of pressure excursion
up: Improves dynamic balancedifference = +16.07, 95% CI: 5.84–26.31
Randomized trial22 peopleWomenaged 50 to <65 years10 weeks
Middle-aged women clinically diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), Aug 30, 2025
down: Decreases sit-to-stand time
Randomized trial29 peopleolder peopleacute
Older adults
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, Jul 9, 2024
What did studies of Closed kinetic chain exercise find?
7Studies of Closed kinetic chain exercise measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are dynamic balance (1 study), knee pain (1) and gait function (1).
Dynamic balance
upin humans1
1 study
Dynamic balance
upin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise improves dynamic balance in humans (knee osteoarthritis) (difference = +16.07, 95% CI: 5.84–26.31).
“Between-group comparisons at post-test demonstrated significant differences, with the CKC group achieving higher YBT scores for both the affected limb (difference = +16.07, 95% CI: 5.84–26.31, p < 0.01) and the unaffected limb (difference = +12.36, 95% CI: 3.65–21.08, p < 0.01).”
Human trialknee osteoarthritis10 weeksfemalesn = 22
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Closed kinetic chain exercise improves dynamic balance in humans (knee osteoarthritis).
“Post-intervention between-group comparisons consistently favored CKC for AP/ML and total COP excursion/velocity and for the YBT composite score (p < 0.05).”
Human trialknee osteoarthritis10 weeksfemalesn = 22
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Knee pain
no changein humans1
1 study
Knee pain
no changein humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise showed no clear effect on knee pain in humans (post-TKA, compared among groups).
“No significant differences were observed among groups for pain (VAS) and function (WOMAC) scores.”
Human trialpost-TKA, compared among groups12 weeksfemalesn = 36
Scientific reports
Gait function
upin humans1
1 study
Gait function
upin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise improves gait function in humans (post-TKA).
“Gait function, measured by the 6MWT, increased significantly in all groups, with the CKC group demonstrating the greatest gains.”
Human trialpost-TKA12 weeksfemalesn = 12
Scientific reports
Knee extension strength
upin humans1
1 study
Knee extension strength
upin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise improves knee extension strength in humans (post-TKA) (+122% (mean difference = 10.8 Nm; 95% CI, 7.8 to 13.8)).
“The CKC group showed a 122% increase (mean difference = 10.8 Nm; 95% CI, 7.8 to 13.8; p < 0.001), outperforming the OKC (102%) and control groups (97%).”
Human trialpost-TKA12 weeksfemalesn = 12
Scientific reports
Center of pressure excursion
downin humans1
1 study
Center of pressure excursion
downin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise decreases center of pressure excursion in humans (knee osteoarthritis).
“Between-group comparisons at post-test further confirmed that the CKC group consistently demonstrated lower COP variability than the OKC group, with significant differences observed in AP distance, AP velocity, ML distance, ML velocity, Total distance, and Total velocity (all p < 0.05).”
Human trialknee osteoarthritis10 weeksfemalesn = 22
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Center of pressure excursion
downin humans1
1 study
Center of pressure excursion
downin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise decreases center of pressure excursion in humans (knee osteoarthritis).
“Post-intervention between-group comparisons consistently favored CKC for AP/ML and total COP excursion/velocity and for the YBT composite score (p < 0.05).”
Human trialknee osteoarthritis10 weeksfemalesn = 22
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Sit-to-stand time
downin humans1
1 study
Sit-to-stand time
downin humans1
Closed kinetic chain exercise decreases sit-to-stand time in humans (compared to control group).
“The time in STS was shorter in the CKCG compared to the CG.”
Human trialcompared to control group
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies