levo

Biomechanical Principles and Levers

Lever systems and mechanical advantage

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 1 and 2

Overview

Lever components in the body, first-, second- and third-class levers with sporting examples, effort and resistance arms, mechanical advantage with worked ankle and biceps figures, why third-class levers dominate, and racket length.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What are the three components of a lever system?

Key term

How are the components of a lever system provided in the body?

Key term

What is a first-class lever? Give a sporting example.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What are the three components of a lever system?

    Model answer

    A lever system has a fulcrum, an effort and a load. The fulcrum is the pivot, the effort is the force applied and the load is the resistance moved.

  2. 2

    How are the components of a lever system provided in the body?

    Model answer

    The joint acts as the fulcrum and the bone as the lever arm. Muscle provides the effort, and body weight or an object provides the load.

  3. 3

    What is a first-class lever? Give a sporting example.

    Model answer

    A first-class lever has the fulcrum between the effort and the load. The triceps extending the elbow in a netball chest pass is an example.

  4. 4

    What is a second-class lever? Give a sporting example.

    Model answer

    A second-class lever has the load between the fulcrum and the effort. The ankle forms one when a sprinter rises onto the toes to drive off the blocks.

  5. 5

    How does the ankle act as a second-class lever when a basketball player jumps?

    Model answer

    The ball of the foot is the fulcrum and body weight at the ankle is the load. The gastrocnemius pulls on the heel to provide the effort.

  6. 6

    What is a third-class lever? Give a sporting example.

    Model answer

    A third-class lever has the effort between the fulcrum and the load. The elbow flexing in a biceps curl and the knee extending in a kick are examples.

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