Your lung capacity, or the amount of oxygen your lungs can hold at any one time, can vary with factors such as age, weight, gender and physical activity levels. The ability to take deep, full breaths and deliver more oxygen to your bloodstream can improve the quality of your daily life. Certain exercises can help build your lung capacity.
Cardio Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise that uses the larger muscles of your body in a rhythmic type of motion will help increase your lung capacity, says UpgradeYourBody.com. Exercises such as running, biking and swimming increase your body's demand for oxygen and challenge your lungs and heart to work harder than normal.
Altitude Training
If an athlete is training for an event and wishes to increase lung capacity, training at a higher altitude may help. Once you get to around 2,500 feet above sea level, there is less pressure from the atmosphere, and only 74 percent as much oxygen. Your body responds by increasing the number of red blood cells because of the extra cells, you can experience enhanced lung capacity for between 10 and 14 days after returning to a normal altitude.
Playing Instruments
Playing a wind or brass instrument is one way to increase lung capacity. Instruments such as the clarinet, flute, tuba, trombone and trumpet help teach breath control. Using correct diaphragm breathing as you play will help improve the capacity of your lungs.
Complete Breath Exercise
Certain breathing exercises such as the complete breath will expand your lungs and help with overall lung capacity. To perform the exercise, sit up comfortably and exhale the air from your lungs. Relax your stomach and inhale so it feels as though your belly is being filled with air. Continue to inhale after your belly feels full, filling the middle of your chest with air. Hold the breath for a few moments then exhale slowly. Relax your rib cage and chest and pull in your stomach to force out the last of the air. Repeat the breath for five minutes, says the University of Missouri Kansas City.
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