There has been a lot written about the kinetic chain over the past few years. I have seen many different definitions that try to explain the kinetic chain. All this has done for me is increase confusion.
A simplified explanation of the kinetic chain is that the body is connected from head to toe. The body moves in gross motor patterns not isolation. For every action in the body, there is a reaction. For example in evaluating the throwing motion, the action of the toe can have an affect on the release of the ball. The connection between the toe and the hand creates a “muscle highway” throughout the body.
The center of the body (also known as the core) is the point where every action is controlled. As Thomas Myers explains in his book “Anatomy Trains”, this is similar to a rotary in a train station. The rotary determines which train the engine connects too. Another example would be the old Stretch Armstrong doll. With Stretch you can pull his extremities in any direction and even twist him in many ways and once released he came back to normal. The only way to pull his extremities effectively was to stabilize the center or pull in opposite directions.
The core functions similarly in the human body. If the core is weak or not functioning properly the transfer of energy or movement will not be efficient. This is the basis behind training the kinetic chain; efficient total body movement. Alternatively, you could classify it as segmental movement in any direction.
The problem is determining if the movement if efficient or inefficient. Inefficient movement patterns lead to break downs or injuries. This is where an evaluation may determine muscular inefficiencies that need corrected.
If an individual has a deficiency in their movement pattern continuing to strength train them without correcting the imperfection will continue to exacerbate the problem.
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