A Third-Class Lever

A Third-Class Lever

Lever system analysis offers essential insights into human movement mechanics and functionality in biomechanics. The third-class lever, the bicep curl exercise, is one illustrative example of a lever system. This essay will explore a third-class lever as an example and outline how biomechanics can be used to examine the lever system’s motion. Do you need any help for completing your assignment ? Contact us at eminencepapers.com. We endeavor to provide you with excellent service.

The motion of a bicep curl exercise is a well-known illustration of a third-class lever. The bicep muscle in the upper arm tightens during this exercise to lift a weight toward the shoulder, such as a dumbbell. The forearm is the lever, while the bicep provides the effort force. The elbow joint serves as the fulcrum. When doing a bicep curl, the forearm is the lever while the weight is held in the hand. The bicep muscle flexes to lift the weight, producing the effort force (Oshita, 2021). The weight, which gravity pulls downward, acts as the resistance force. The elbow joint, where the forearm pivots, serves as the fulcrum. The bicep muscle works in this configuration at a location between the fulcrum and the resisting force. Because of the mechanical advantage created by this configuration, the bicep can exert more force than the weight being lifted. The trade-off is that the weight goes longer than the bicep contracts. Despite its mechanical drawback, the third-class lever arrangement enables delicate control and exact movements, making it perfect for tasks that call for accuracy, like manipulating objects with our hands.

Biomechanics in Analyzing the Movement of the Lever System

Biomechanics is essential to analyze the motion of a lever system, like the bicep curl. Biomechanics applies concepts from physics and engineering to comprehend the mechanics of biological systems. Biomechanics would first consider the internal forces within the body, such as the muscle forces exerted by the bicep, to assess the bicep curl. These forces can be measured and quantified with force plates or electromyography (EMG). We can assess the bicep’s work in raising the weight by comprehending the muscle forces. The external forces operating on the system, such as the weight being lifted and gravitational forces, are also considered by biomechanics. To ascertain how these forces affect the lever system, measurements and analyses can be performed on them. Biomechanics aids in evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the bicep curl exercise by looking at the torque produced around the fulcrum (Uppal & Goswami, 2020). We can also assess the kinematics of the lever system thanks to biomechanics. Joint angles, velocities, and displacements must be examined to do this. We can measure and comprehend the precise motion of the lever system during a bicep curl using methods like motion capture or joint angle measurement tools.

Where the Axis, Resistance and Force Sit

The elbow joint serves as the axis or fulcrum, where during the bicep curl, it acts as the center of rotation around which the lever (forearm) revolves. The location of the axis plays a crucial role in establishing the mechanics of the lever system and the direction of the forces at play (Barth, 2019).In this case, lifting the weight, typically a dumbbell, provides resistance. Due to gravity, the weight acts downward and generates a force that prevents the lever from moving. The resisting force is applied at the distal end of the lever (forearm), farthest from the fulcrum. The biceps muscle produces the force in this situation. The bicep contracts and exerts an effort force to lift the weight (resistance). The force is applied at the proximal end of the lever (forearm) closer to the fulcrum. The bicep force acts upward and counteracts the resistance force, allowing the lever system to overcome the weight and perform the bicep curl movement.

How Movement is Applied to the Lever

The bicep muscle contracts during the bicep curl movement, moving the lever (forearm). When the bicep contracts, a force is produced that is transferred to the lever at the attachment point close to the elbow joint by the tendons (Malte Mechtenberg et al., 2022). The lever rotates around its axis (fulcrum), which is situated at the elbow joint, resulting from this force. The weight (resistance) is consequently lifted towards the shoulder by the arc-shaped movement of the lever. The lever system can accomplish the bicep curl action because the torque the contracting bicep muscle produces allows it to overcome the weight’s resisting force.

Conclusion

The bicep curl is an excellent example of how movement may be applied to a lever system. The lever rotates around its axis at the elbow joint due to the force generated and transferred by contracting the bicep muscle. The lever mechanism may lift the weight and overcome the resistance force thanks to this motion. Understanding this lever system’s stresses, torques, and motion requires a thorough understanding of biomechanical analysis. Understanding how movement is applied to the lever helps better grasp human movement mechanics and the bicep curl workout.

References

Barth, F. G. (2019). Mechanics to pre-process information for the fine-tuning of mechanoreceptors. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 205(5), 661–686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-019-01355-z

Malte Mechtenberg, Nils Grimmelsmann, Hanno Gerd Meyer, & Schneider, A. (2022). Manual and semi-automatic determination of elbow angle-independent parameters for a model of the biceps brachii distal tendon based on ultrasonic imaging. 17(10), e0275128–e0275128. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275128

Oshita, K. (2021). Tactile Cue by Touching the Agonist Muscle Increases the Muscle Activity During Arm Curl Exercise. 295–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66169-4_36

Uppal, D. A. K., & Goswami, D. J. (2020). Kinesiology and Biomechanics. In Google Books. Friends Publications (India). https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=gyXsDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=Biomechanics+aids+in+evaluating+the+effectiveness+and+efficiency+of+the+bicep+curl+exercise+by+looking+at+the+torque+produced+around+the+fulcrum&ots=Rhn0l9BVq5&sig=QQuxqh-PEe5XJwUR66n3XkhfPD8

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Week 2
Discuss an example of a third class lever. In the discussion, explain how biomechanics would be used to analyze the movement of the lever system. Be sure to mention where the axis, resistance, and force sit within the example and how the movement is applied to the lever.

A Third-Class Lever

Reading Assignment:
Burkett, B. (2018). Applied Sport Mechanics (4th ed.). Human Kinetics Publishers. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781492568582

Chapters: 2 pages 15-28

Lecture notes:
Slide 1
Welcome to week 2 of the Principles of Biomechanics course. In this lecture, we will be covering the anatomical aspects of biomechanics.
Slide 2
The human body is a complex structure. When studying the principles of biomechanics, it is vital to have a foundational knowledge of anatomy in order to describe movement. This week you will be learning about the anatomical reference position, how the mechanics of anatomy tie into movement and how lever systems work in the human body.
Slide 3
In this week’s lecture, let’s begin with the standard reference system that serves as a starting point for measuring movement.
The reference system serves as a consistent starting point for looking at the mechanics of anatomy. Think of it as the standard for measurement, not necessarily a natural position but the best way to look at movement. Stand up with your body erect, palms and body facing forward with your legs shoulder width apart.
This position is the basis for examining movement, essentially the foundation for the study of anatomy and sport mechanics.
Slide 4