Lever/ Biomechanics

Lever

Rigid bars rotating around a fulcrum.

Fulcrum

Pivot point of a lever.

Load

Resistance being moved.

Effort

Force applied to move the load.

First class lever

Fulcrum in the middle.

Second class lever

Load in the middle.

Third class lever

Effort in the middle.

Mechanical advantage

When effort arm is longer than load arm.

Third class lever example

Bicep curl at the elbow.

Second class lever example

Standing on tiptoes.

First class lever example

Neck extension.

Newton’s First Law

An object stays still or moving unless acted upon by force.

Newton’s Second Law

Force equals mass x acceleration.

Newton’s Third Law

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Stability

Ability to maintain balance.

Centre of mass

Point where body mass is evenly distributed.

Friction

Resistance between surfaces.

Air resistance

Force opposing movement through air.