Moment is free to move these term are employed extensively to describe methods of applying resistance to muscle and ligament especially in the knee
Although very convenient terminology the terms open and closed kinematic chains are often ambiguous from a strict engineering perspective the terms open and closed kinematic chains apply more to the kinematic interdependence of a series of connected rigid links which is not exactly the same as the previous definitions given here from this engineering perspective the chain is closed if both ends are fixed to a common object much like a closed circuit in this case moment of any one link requires a kinematic adjustment of one of more of the other links within the chain opening the chain by disconnecting one end from its fixed attachment interrupts this kinematic interdependence this more precise terminology does not apply universally across all health-related and engineering disciplines performing a one-legged partial squat for example is often referred to clinically as the movement of closed kinematic chain It could be argued however that is a movement of an open kinematic chain because the contralateral leg is not fixed to ground to avoid confusion this text uses the terms open and closed kinematic chains sparingly and the preference is to explicitly state which segment is considered fixed and which is considered free