Various effects of training on respiratory system:
(a) Lung volume: With endurance training lung volume and capacities increases. Vital capacity, which is maximum volume of air forcefully. expelled (expired] out) after a maximum inspiration is increased after endurance training. The vital capacity of trained athlete is 5-6 litres whereas untrained VC is of 3-4 litres.
(b) Decrease in breathing frequency (BF): Breathing frequency is the number of -breaths per minute. After training breathing frequency is decreased. The resting breathing frequency for untrained is 12-20 breaths/minute whereas in trained athletes it is 7-8 breaths/minute, which results in greater respiratory efficiency.
(c) Maximum minute ventilation: After training maximum minute ventilation is increased. For untrained it is 100 litres/minute and for trained it is 150-160 litres/minute.
(d) Tidal volume: The tidal volume, which is the amount of air inspired or expired per breath. is also increased as a result of endurance training. In untrained individuals tidal volume is about 500 ml/breath. whereas in trained persons it is increased more than 600-700 ml/breath.
(e) Increase in ventilatory efficiency: As the body is involved in regular vigorous type of endurance training as well as physical exercise so our ventilatory efficiency increases.
(f) Pulmonary diffusion: Pulmonary diffusion is the exchange of gases taking place in the alveoli (small air sacs in our lungs). During maximum level of exercise more alveoli become active for diffusion. The size of the alveoli is also increased which provide more space to diffusion of gases such as O2 and CO2.
