Final answer:
Multi-joint muscles typically generate higher forces than single-joint muscles due to their ability to span multiple joints and distribute force over larger areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to generating higher forces, the muscular system's design comes into play significantly. Skeletal muscles, which include both single-joint and multi-joint muscles, are constructed to exert higher forces internally than what our limbs apply externally. This is because muscles are typically attached to bones via tendons very close to the joints. Due to this attachment point, the mechanical advantage of such a system is less than one. Muscles and joints act as simple machines where the input force, which comes from muscle contractions, is much greater than the output force that acts on the external environment.
Considering this, multi-joint muscles often generate higher forces than single-joint muscles. This is due to their ability to span multiple joints, allowing them to distribute and generate force over more areas of the body. Moreover, the interactions between muscles, bones, and joints determine the force, speed, and range of movement, which are influenced by whether a muscle crosses over a single joint or multiple joints.