2.1.2

Mechanical Advantage

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Mechanical Advantage

Different types of lever have different types of mechanical advantage. Short effort arms can make rapid movements and can make a range of movements. Short resistance arms can move heavy weights. The type of mechanical advantage depends on:

Distance between effort and fulcrum

Distance between effort and fulcrum

  • The distance between the effort (muscle) and the fulcrum (joint). This distance is called the effort arm.
  • Mechanical advantage = effort arm divided by (÷) the resistance arm.
Distance between resistance and fulcrum

Distance between resistance and fulcrum

  • The distance between the resistance (load that needs moving) and the fulcrum (joint).
  • This distance is called the resistance arm.
  • Mechanical advantage = effort arm divided by (÷) the resistance arm.

First and Third Class Levers

First and third class levers have an effort arm that is shorter than the resistance arm. For first and third class levers, the effort arm ÷ resistance arm is less than 1.

Third class lever - elbow

Third class lever - elbow

  • When flexion (bending) happens at the elbow, the effort arm is the distance from the biceps (effort) and the elbow joint (fulcrum), which is very short.
  • The resistance arm is the distance from the hand (resistance) to the elbow joint (fulcrum), which is very long. This means that the hand can move quickly with a wide range of movement.

Second Class Lever

The second class lever system is ideal for lifting weights. This is why we see it in the ankle, where it carries the weight of the body.

Second class lever - ankle

Second class lever - ankle

  • Here, the effort is further away from the fulcrum than the resistance (effort arm longer than the resistance arm).
  • When plantar flexion happens at the ankle, the effort arm is the distance from the gastrocnemius (effort) to the ball of the foot (fulcrum), which is long.
  • The resistance arm is the distance from the body weight (resistance through the middle) to the ball of the foot (fulcrum), which is very short. This means that the range of movement is not too large but that it can support a heavy weight.
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Practice questions on Mechanical Advantage

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which one of the following lever types is most appropriate for doing heavy weights?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of the following factors affects a lever's type of mechanical advantage?True / false
  3. 3
    When flexion happens at the elbow, the effort arm is the distance between which two components?True / false
  4. 4
    In the elbow's third-class lever, how long is the resistance arm?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which of the following are consequences of a long resistance arm?True / false
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Lever Systems

Basic Sporting Movements