1. PHED 1 Applied Physiology Lung Volumes
AS PE
PHED 1
Applied Physiology
Lung Volumes

2. The Respiratory System
Our respiratory system takes in oxygen from the air and transfers it to the blood in our lungs
The oxygen travels to the cells in our blood, where it is exchanged for carbon dioxide 
Our respiratory system then removes the carbon dioxide

4. Lung Vol & Capacities Tidal Volume Inspiratory/Expiratory reserve vol.
Residual capacity
Vital capacity
Interpretations from spirometer traces
Minute volume/ventilation

5. L
1.5
3.0
3.5
6.5
IRV VC TV
FRV
ERV
Residual Volume

6. 1.5
3.0
3.5
6.5

7. Definitions
Tidal Volume (TV) = Air breathed in or out in one breath (0.5L)
Inspiratory reserve volume = Air that can be forcibly inspired in addition to TV (3.1L)
Expiratory reserve volume = Air that can be forcibly expired in addition to TV (1.2L)
Vital Capacity = Max air that can be forcibly exhaled after breathing in as much as possible (4.8L)

8. Defs Cont…..
Residual Volume = Air that remains in lungs even after max expiration to keep them from collapsing (1.2L)
Total Lung Capacity = Vital Capacity Residual Volume (6.0L)
AS PE Module 1 BMF

9. AGE
B.FRAME
Lung Volumes
FITNESS
SEX

10. Changes to Lung Volumes During Exercise
Lung Vol or Capacity
Changes during Exercise
Tidal volume (TV)
Inspiratory reserve vol (IRV)
Expiratory reserve vol (ERV)
Residual volume (RV)
Total lung capacity (TLC)
Vital capacity (VC)
Inspiratory capacity (IC)
Functional residual capacity (FRC)
Minute ventilation
Increase
Decrease
Slight decrease
Slight decrease
Slight decrease
Slight decrease
Increase
Slight increase
Increase
AS PE Module 1 BMF

11. Activity
If, when you are resting, you inspire 500ml and inhale every six seconds
If, when you forcibly exhale to a maximum having just breathed out, you blow out another 1850ml.
If when you fill your lungs to capacity and breathe out as much as you can, you can exhale 4300ml
What would be your
1. Vital Capacity
2. Inspiratory reserve volume
3. Expiratory reserve volume
4. Minute ventilation
= 4300ml
= 4300 – 1850 – 500ml = 1950ml
= 1850ml
= 5000ml

12. Training Effects Average Male 7L/min 110L/min 0.5L 2.75L 5.8L 1.4L
Elite End Runner
6L/min
195L/min
0.5L
3.9L
6.2L
1.2L
Resp Rates & Vols.
Pulmonary Ventilation at Rest
Max Pulmonary Ventilation
TV at rest
Max TV
Vital Capacity
Residual Volume

13. Key Training Points
Endurance training does not result in enormous changes to lung volumes
Slight increase in Vital capacity at the expense of a reduced residual volume
Tidal volume appears to be unchanged at rest but does show an increase during maximal exercise

14. What You Now Know… How lung volumes are worked out
Definitions of all the lung capacities
Differences in lung capacities and volume between the average male and the elite endurance athlete
The effects of training on lung volumes/capacities