Types of levers

• Lever - all movements in the body are produced by a series of levers working together
• Fulcrum - the part of the lever that pivots. In the body's its the joints
• Effort - the force applied to move the resistance or weight. Effort is provided by the muscle
• Resistance - the load to be moved by a lever system
• Second class lever - only found at the ankle during during plantar flexion
• Second class lever - the load is on the middle
• First class level - only found in extension at the elbow
• First class lever - fulcrum is in the middle
• Third class lever - effort is in the middle
• Mechanical advantage = effort arm ÷ resistance/load arm