In a third-class lever, what is positioned between the fulcrum and the resistance?

In a third-class lever, the arrangement consists of the fulcrum at one end, the effort in the middle, and the load (or resistance) at the other end. This configuration allows the effort to be applied between the fulcrum and the load, which maximizes the movement of the load for a given effort, albeit at the expense of the distance over which the load moves.

This type of lever is commonly seen in many movements of the human body, such as raising a forearm to lift an object. When effort is applied to the forearm, it pivots around the elbow (the fulcrum), resulting in the hand (which carries the load) moving a greater distance than the effort is applied.

Understanding this positioning helps in comprehending how muscles and joints work together to facilitate movement and perform various exercises effectively, especially in an aquatic fitness setting where resistance differs from land-based activities.