The goal of rehabilitation is to return patients to their preinjury level of function. This task is achieved by restoring specific parameters of function that include joint range of motion (ROM), muscle performance (i.e., torque, work, power, time rate of tension development), soft tissue flexibility, proprioception/kinesthesia/balance, agility, and cardiovascular conditioning. Several methods are used by clinicians to restore function, including modalities and manual therapy. A key element, however, is the application of resistive exercises. The implementation and progression of exercises employed by the clinician may affect the final outcome. Exercises are used to isolate muscle action over one joint in a cardinal plane of movement. Other exercises incorporate synergistic action of muscle groups over multiple joints, using multiplanar movements. Ideally, treatment should incorporate a variety of exercises to achieve optimum rehabilitation. To facilitate this process, the rehabilitation specialist should understand basic concepts ofhuman kinesiology, as well as anatomy and the physiology of soft tissue healing. The purpose of this article is to: define terms associated with human movement; discuss kinematic-chain exercises; review rehabilitation principles and exercise progression; and incorporate this information into case studies. TERMINOLOGY