TORQUE

MOMENT
MOMENT OF
FORCE

The three terms are

synonymous

"The word 'strength' ... actually represents

torque [or moment]. All real-world
performance (eg, sprinting, lifting
weights, getting out of bed, writing)
represents manifestations of torque by
the musculoskeletal system" (Lieber &
Bodine-Fowler, 1993, p. 852).

TWO DEFINITIONS OF MOMENT:

I.

A moment is a turning effect, produced by a force at

some distance from an axis of rotation:
M=Fs
Therefore, a moment's magnitude depends on:
1.

F, the force applied,

measured in Newtons
(N) or pounds (lb)

depicted as a vector
with a line of application

2.

s, the force's moment arm

measured in
centimeters (cm) or inches
(in)

the perpendicular
distance FROM the force's
line of application TO the
axis of rotation

Accordingly, a moment is measured in units like

Newton*meters (or Newton*centimeters) or inch*pounds.

We typically hyphenate these units; we use the * symbol

here as a reminder that we derive these units as the product
of two basic measurements.

II.

Just as a FORCE produces straight line (linear)

acceleration in an object at rest.
F=ma
a MOMENT produces an angular acceleration in an
object (like a body part) around an axis of rotation
(like a joint axis).
M=Ir
where I is the moment of inertia and r is the angular
acceleration.

Links to further study

Students in PHTH/OCTH 7143 begin the study of human movement
by considering moments produced by gravity and by
muscles. However, any force that acts at a distance from a
joint produces a moment at that joint. In the future, we'll
consider:

ground reaction moments

joint moments

Reference:
Lieber, R.L., & Bodine-Fowler, S.C. (1993). Skeletal muscle
mechanics: Implications for rehabilitation. Physical Therapy,
73, 844-856.
Last updated 1-17-01 Dave Thompson PT
return to PHTH/OCTH 7143 lecture schedule