Effect of kinetic chain training on movement quality and power in recreational overhead athletes: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

The kinetic chain is a series of interconnected joints and segments that operate together to stabilize the body and facilitate the efficient transfer of energy across various regions. Although its importance in movement and performance is widely recognised, there remains a lack of empirical evidence to fully comprehend the effectiveness of kinetic chain training. This study investigated the effect of kinetic chain training on movement quality and power in recreational overhead athletes. A total of 28 individuals were recruited and randomised into two groups. The intervention group received a supervised kinetic chain training program for four weeks (3 sessions/week), while the control group continued their usual sports training. Measurements of movement quality, power, shoulder rotational range of motion, and myofascial stiffness were taken at baseline and post-training. Linear mixed-effects modelling demonstrated significant Group × Time effects for movement quality (FMS: F (1, 23.3) = 70.30, p < 0.001, η² p = 0.751), upper-body power (MBPT: F (1, 23.0) = 15.71, p < 0.001, η² p = 0.406), left shoulder internal rotation (IRROM: F (1, 23.7) = 15.18, p < 0.001, η² p = 0.390), and right shoulder internal rotation ( F (1, 22.9) = 7.27, p = 0.013, η² p = 0.241). No significant Group × Time effects were observed for left ( p = 0.952) or right ( p = 0.108) shoulder external rotation. Kinetic-chain training demonstrated significant Group × Time effects for movement quality, upper-body power, and bilateral shoulder internal rotation, but not external rotation, in recreational overhead athletes. Larger adequately powered trials are required to confirm these findings. This study was approved by the Kasturba Medical College Ethics Committee (IEC1:304/2024) and registered in the Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI/2024/10/074552) on 01/10/2024.