Lab: Levers and Forces (w/ moment arms)

Description
Human movement is facilitated by a vast number of muscles, bones and joints in
the body. The human body functions as a machine and thus its structure can be described
in mechanical terms: muscles provide the forces; bones provide the levers; and joints
provide the fulcrums for leverage. It is this system of forces and levers, which provides
the body with mechanical efficiency and the ability to do work.
The ease with which movement can be achieved varies with the specific joint and
is a function of the amount of applied force as well as the point of force application with
respect to the axis of rotation. In order for a body segment to swing or pivot about a
given joint, torque is required, that is, muscular forces must be applied at some distance
from the joint center (the axis of rotation). By measuring the perpendicular distance
between the line of force application, the actual lever arm is determined. It is the
combination of applied force and lever arm that provides torque. The greater the lever
arm, the greater are the leverage and torque. Increasing the applied force results in a
greater torque as well. Torque can be quantified by the equation T = F x fa where
torque depends upon the magnitudes of the applied force (F) and the lever arm of the
force (fa). Angular motion, which is counter to the intended direction of limb rotation, is
produced by resistive torque. That resistive torque is the product of another force, the
resistance (R), and its lever arm called the resistance arm (ra).

Equipment and Materials

1. Ruler
2. Anatomy book for reference
3. Website:
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/dissector/mus
cles/muscles.html

Objective
It is the purpose of this laboratory experience to identify the muscles and well as
their origin and insertion points involved in specific exercises, and to mechanically
analyze the torques acting at each joint by identifying the forces and lever arms involved.

Procedure
For each of the following exercises:
a. identify the origin and insertion of the muscles involved
b. mark the axis of rotation with a dot
c. draw a force vector from the point of force application and label
with F.
d. draw a dotted line for the lever arm of the force and label with fa.

Upright Row
1. Muscle 1: trapezius
a. Origin: occipital bone & all cervical and thoracic vertebrae
 b. Insertion: Scapular spine and clavicle
2. Muscle 2: deltoid
a. Origin: scapular spine & clavicle
b. Insertion: Humerus (deltoid tuberosity)

F2

F1

Lat Pull
1. Muscle 1: latissimus dorsi
a. Origin: lower spine & iliac crest
 b. Insertion: Proximal Humerus
2. Muscle 2: Teres Major
a. Origin: lat side of inf angle of scapula below teres minor
b. Insertion: Med lip of bicipital groove of humerus

F2

F1

Military Press
1. Muscle: triceps brachii
a. Origin 1: Long head: infraglenoid tubercle of scapula.
 b. Origin 2: Lat head: upper half post humerus (linear origin).
c. Origin 3: Med head: lies deep on lower half post humerus
inferomedial to spiral groove and both intermuscular septa
d. Insertion: Post part of upper surface of olecranon process of ulna and
post capsule

F1

Arm Curl
1. Muscle 1: Biceps Brachii
 a. Origin: Scapula
b. Insertion: Proximal radius
2. Muscle 2: Brachioradialis
a. Origin: Lateral ridge distal humerus
b. Insertion: Distal radius near styloid process
3. Muscle: Brachialis
a. Origin: Distal Humerus
b. Insertion: Proximal ulna

F1

F3

F2

Leg Curl
1. Muscle 1: Biceps Femoris
 a. Origin: ischial tuberosity
b. Insertion: head of fibula & lateral condyle of tibia
2. Muscle 2: Semitendinosus
a. Origin: the ischial tuberosity
b. Insertion: Superior aspect of medial portion of tibial shaft
3. Muscle 3: Semimembranosus
a. Origin: ischial tuberosity
b. Insertion: Posterior surface of the medial tibial condyle

F3
F1
F2

Leg Press
1. Muscle 1: Rectus Femoris
a. Origin: straight head: anterior inferior iliac spine
 b. Insertion: Quadriceps tendon to patella

2. Muscle 2: Vastus Medialis

a. Origin: superior part of the femoral shaft 
b. Insertion: border of the patella 

3. Muscle 3: Vastus Lateralis

a. Origin: base of greater trochanter
b. Insertion:  tibial tuberosity

4. Muscle 4: Vastus Intermedius

a. Origin: anterior and lateral shaft to femur
b. Insertion: quadriceps tendon 

F4
F1
F3
F2
Heel Raise
1. Muscle 1: Gastrocnemius
a. Origin: Distal Femur
b. Insertion: Calcaneus
2. Muscle 2: Soleus
a. Origin: Proximal Tib/Fib
b. Insertion: Calcaneus

F2

F1