ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which example illustrates a 1st Class Lever in the human body?

1. Elbow joint flexion

2. Head on cervical vertebrae

3. Calf raises

4. Knee extension

The correct answer is: Head on cervical vertebrae

The example of the head on the cervical vertebrae accurately illustrates a first-class lever in the human body. In a first-class lever system, the fulcrum is located between the effort and the load. In this case, the fulcrum is at the atlanto-occipital joint where the skull meets the vertebrae. The weight of the head acts as the load on one side of the fulcrum, while the muscles at the back of the neck provide the effort to tilt the head backwards. This arrangement allows for an effective range of motion as well as the ability to lift the load (the head) using minimal muscle force. Understanding this lever system contributes to a greater comprehension of biomechanics and how muscles interact with bones to produce movement effectively. In contrast to this example, the other choices do not represent a first-class lever as clearly. Elbow joint flexion is an example of a third-class lever, calf raises function as a second-class lever, and knee extension primarily illustrates another form of a third-class lever mechanism.