Levers

For your arm, leg or any body part to move the appropriate muscles and bones must work together as a series of levers. A lever comprises of three components -

  • Fulcrum or pivot - the point about which the lever rotates
  • Load - the force applied by the lever system
  • Effort - the force applied by the user of the lever system

The way in which a lever will operate is dependent on the type of lever.

Classification of Levers

  • Class 1 - The fulcrum lies between the effort and the load
  • Class 2 - The fulcrum is at one end, the effort at the other end and the load lies between the effort and the fulcrum
  • Class 3 - The fulcrum is at one end, the load at the other end and the effort lies between the load and the fulcrum
Class 1 lever
Class 1 Lever		 Class 2 lever
Class 2 Lever		 Class 3 lever
Class 3 Lever

Class 3 is the most common class of lever to be found in the human body.

Examples in strength training

  • Class 1 - Seated dumbbell triceps extension
  • Class 2 - Standing heel lift
  • Class 3 - Seated biceps curl
Class 1 Lever in the body
Class 1 Lever in the Body		 Class 2 Lever in the body
Class 2 Lever in the Body		 Class 3 lever in the body
Class 3 Lever in the Body

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Human Anatomy & Physiology

This heavily illustrated self-teaching course gives you everything you need to know.

Find out how human muscles, nerves, bones,organs, glands, connective tissue and more, function and communicate with each other. Discover the molecular-level workings of your glandular, genitourinary, digestive, cardiovascular, and other systems. But that is just part of the story.

Select this link for more information on "Human Anatomy & Physiology".

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: