B.1.4 Levers in movement and sport

Calculated as the effort arm divided by the load arm. The longer the effort arm, the greater the mechanical advantage, making it easier to move a heavy load with less force.

Effort force and the load force on opposite sides of the fulcrum. E.g. Muscle of the neck providing the effort force to overcome the load force casued by the weight of the head

The effort force and the load force on the same side of the fulcrum. The effort force is further away from the fulcrum than the load force. E.g. The calf muscles contract to provide the effort force when standing on the toes in plantar flexion.

Effort and load forces on the same side of the fulcrum. The effort force is closer to the fulcrum than the load force. E.g. The bicep provides the effort force at the elbow joint to hold a weight at the hand

A lever is a rigid structure that rotates around a fixed point called the fulcrum, used to move a load by applying an effort

The fulcrum is the fixed point around which the lever rotates or pivots e.g. joints typically serve as the fulcrum

The effort is the force applied to the lever to move the load e.g. muscle contraction

The load is the resistance or the weight being moved by the lever