NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is one characteristic of a first class lever system?

1. Muscle force and resistance force are on the same side of the fulcrum

2. The fulcrum is located between the muscle force and resistance force

3. The lever arm is significantly longer

4. The resistance force overpowers the muscle force

The correct answer is: The fulcrum is located between the muscle force and resistance force

A first class lever system is defined by the arrangement of its components: muscle force, resistance force, and the fulcrum. In this type of lever, the fulcrum is positioned between the muscle force (effort) and the resistance force (load). This configuration allows for a balance of forces, enabling the lever to amplify the force applied by the muscle to lift the load. The positioning of the fulcrum affects the mechanical advantage of the lever, which is a crucial characteristic of this type. For example, in a first class lever like a seesaw, as one end goes up, the other end goes down, showcasing how force can be applied in different directions while still maintaining the leverage created by the fulcrum. The other options describe situations that do not accurately represent a first-class lever. In a first-class lever, the muscle force and resistance force are not on the same side of the fulcrum; rather, they are on opposite sides. The length of the lever arm is not a defining characteristic of a first-class lever as it can vary, and the relationship between the forces is such that the muscle force typically overcomes the resistance force, not the other way around. Thus, the configuration of the fulcr