Different types of levers in the human body offer different mechanical advantages, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in different types of movement
First and third class levers have an effort arm that is short compared to the resistance arm
This enables:
Fast movement
A wide range of movement
E.g. the biceps acting to pull up the lower arm around the elbow joint as an example of a third class lever
Second class levers have a long effort arm compared to the length of the resistance arm
This allows joints to overcome a large resistance with relatively little effort
E.g. the gastrocnemius muscle acting to lift body weight around the ankle joint as a fulcrum
Mechanical Advantage Calculation
mechanical advantage = effort arm length ÷ weight (resistance) arm length
