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... For example, when an
ice skater pushes off from a wall and thereby gains speed, the MET
states that the line integral of the force of the wall on the skater is
numerically equal to the skater's kinetic energy increase. However, the
wall has not given up any energy to the person; the wall has not lost
any energy; the source of the skater's kinetic energy increase is body
metabolism acting through body muscle forces. The wall provides a
"leverage fulcrum" against which these forces can operate; in so doing
the wall force takes measure (through its line integral) of the kinetic
energy change. In sum, the MET uses the line integral of the wall force
as a measurement of the skater's kinetic energy change. It says nothing
about the source of this energy. It is the FLT which performs this
function.