ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

A closed kinetic chain exercise is defined by the condition in which the distal segment of the body, such as the feet or hands, interacts with a fixed surface, typically the ground or an exercise apparatus, resulting in a chain of body movements that are interconnected. This type of exercise emphasizes the coordination of multiple joints and the engagement of stabilizing muscle groups.

The leg press is a prime example of a closed kinetic chain exercise because when performing this movement, the feet are fixed on the platform while the legs push against it. This setup requires multiple joints, including the knees and hips, to work together to produce movement. As the feet remain in contact with the platform, the exercise effectively activates both the quadriceps and glutes, along with various stabilizing muscles in the lower body, making it a functional movement that closely mirrors activities in daily life.

In contrast, other options involve open kinetic chain movements where the distal segment is not fixed—in exercises such as the lat pull-down, bench press, and dumbbell flys, the hands or arms move freely throughout the exercise, which isolates muscles more than a kinetic chain movement typically would.