Effects of open and closed kinetic-chain exercises on the muscle strength and muscle activity of the ankle joint in young healthy women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of open and closed chain exercise on the muscle strength and muscle activity of the ankle joint. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty women in their 20s were randomly assigned to two groups: the open kinetic-chain group and the closed kinetic-chain group. Each group performed 5 sets 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Exercise intensity was increased once after two weeks. The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, tibialis posterior, and peroneus longus muscles were measured. The collected data were analyzed with two-way repeated measures ANOVA. [Results] In the results for muscle strength, both groups showed significant differences in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion between the pre-test and post-test. In the results for muscle activity, no significant differences were noted for either group. [Conclusion] Open and closed kinetic-chain exercises can help to improve muscle strength.