Lever Systems

Classified systems of torque Relative positions of force, resistance, and axis of rotation vary in the different types or classes of levers As with any torque calculations, operations on levers determine the tendency for some force to produce rotation around a fixed point.

Components of a Lever System

Fulcrum The center or axis of rotation of the system. Moment Arm The distance from any force or weight that produces torque to the fulcrum. Force Arm The distance from an applied force to the fulcrum. (The moment arm of the force.) Resistance Arm The distance from the resistance to the fulcrum. (The moment arm of the resistance.)

Classes of Levers
1. First Class The applied force and the resistance are on opposite sides of the fulcrum. 2. Second Class The resistance is between the applied force and the fulcrum. 3. Third Class The applied force is between the resistance and the fulcrum.

First Class Lever

resistance resistance arm applied force force arm

fulcrum

Second Class Lever

force arm resistance arm resistance

applied force

fulcrum

Third Class Lever

resistance arm force arm resistance applied force

fulcrum

Torque Produced in Lever Systems

Two Torques
1. Torque produced by the applied force 2. Torque produced by the resistance

The direction in which a lever system moves is dependent on the relative lengths of the force and resistance arms as well as the magnitudes of force and resistance.

Mechanical Advantage
This is the effectiveness of a lever at moving a resistance. It is a calculated value:
ForceArm Mechanical Advantage = Re sis tan ceArm

Because of their different configurations, the mechanical advantage of a first class lever can favor the force or resistance depending on the placement of the fulcrum. A second class lever always favors the force arm. A third class lever always favors the resistance arm.

resistance resistance arm

applied force force arm

fulcrum
The fulcrum in a first class lever system can often vary in position to favor the force arm or the resistance arm.

force arm resistance arm resistance

applied force

fulcrum In a second class lever system, the mechanical advantage favors the force arm. (The force arm will always be longer.)

resistance arm force arm resistance applied force

fulcrum The mechanical advantage of a third class lever system favors the resistance arm. (The resistance arm is always longer.)

Resistance and Force Arms

Resistance Arm: Abbreviated DRA
Force Arm: Abbreviated DFA

Levers In The Musculo-Skeletal System

Most are third class levers This system produces a disadvantage for force but an advantage for speed of movement

Levers In The Musculo-Skeletal System

Most of the musculo-skeletal system consists of third class levers. That is, the resistance arm is longer than the force arm. FM

FRO

DFA DRA

Levers In The Musculo-Skeletal System

The musculo-skeletal lever systems generally favor speed over strength. Although the mechanical advantage favors the resistance arm, in the time that the muscle insertion moves a given distance (red arrow), the resistance moves a much greater distance (blue arrow).

Levers In The Musculo-Skeletal System

In other words, the end of a limb is moving at a greater velocity than the attachments of the muscles that produce that movement.

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

mechanical advantage = (DFA)/(DRA)
If DFA < DRA the mechanical advantage is < 1 Example: A muscle inserts 3 cm from a joint axis (DFA = 3 cm) The distance to the weight that the muscle is resisting is 30 cm (DRA = 30 cm) mechanical advantage = 3 cm / 30 cm = .1 This means that, when FM and R are both perpendicular to the limb, FM must be 10 times greater than R to move the resistance.

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

In a muscle contraction on a limb like the arm or leg, the resistance moves through the same angular displacement as the muscle insertion.

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

In moving through a given angular displacement (q), the velocity of the resistance is equal to the angular velocity in rad/sec times DRA The velocity of the muscle insertion is equal to the angular velocity in rad/sec times DFA

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

FM

FRO

DFA DRA

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

The velocity of the resistance: vR = (w rad/sec)(DRA) The velocity of the muscle insertion: vM = (w rad/sec)(DFA) The velocity of the resistance compared to the muscle insertion = vR/vM = (w rad/sec)(DRA)/ (w rad/sec)(DFA) = DRA/DFA

Strength vs. Speed in Skeletal Muscle

If DFA = 3 cm and DRA = 30 cm, The relative speed of the resistance to the muscle insertion = DRA/DFA = (30 cm)/(3 cm) = 10
This means that the resistance is moving at 10 times the velocity of the muscle insertion.

Levers in the Musculo-Skeletal System

Not all levers in the musculo-skeletal system are third class. When performing toe rises the ankle becomes a second class lever system.

R DRA FM

DFA fulcrum