While you may engage in exercise for its benefits to the outside of your body -- a toned, leaner physique -- many of the most important conditioning takes place in your internal organs and tissues. Participating in regular physical activity increases your heart rate and forces your lungs to work harder to supply your body with the extra oxygen it needs during physical exertion.
Breathing During Exercise
When you inhale during exercise, your lungs pull in more air, forcing your diaphragm to flatten so your lungs can expand to take in the air. Air travels through the bronchi and bronchioles in your lungs to the alveoli, which fill up and expand your lungs. From the alveoli, oxygen moves through your blood to supply your body's cells and muscles with the oxygen they need to keep your body moving.
Improving Lung Function
Exercising regularly improves your lungs' ability to function. Since your body needs more oxygen when you engage in physical activity, your lungs work harder to draw in air and move oxygen to your muscles. Your lungs actually do not become larger or able to take in more air as a result of regular fitness training, but they will become more efficient at feeding working muscles with the oxygen they need to perform, making it easier for you to exercise and engage in more strenuous activity.
Respiratory Infections
Exercise can impact the way your immune system functions and alter your risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections. A study of 547 adults published in the August 2002 issue of "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise" found that those who engaged in regular moderate to vigorous physical activity had a 23 percent lower risk of upper respiratory tract infections than those who exercised irregularly. During extremely heavy training, such as training done by professional athletes before an event, the risk of upper respiratory infections can actually increase. A study published in the July 2000 issue of "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise" found that the risk is greatest during periods of heavy training and in the first two weeks following a competitive race event.
Considerations
Chronic or acute medical conditions can affect your lung function, making it harder for your respiratory system to work properly when exercising. Conditions including bronchitis, asthma and emphysema can alter how much air your lungs can draw in and how well they can transport oxygen to your bloodstream. Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, particularly if you suffer from a condition that affects your respiratory system.
References
- KidsHealth: Your Lungs & Respiratory System
- "President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest"; Does Exercise Alter Immune Function and Respiratory Infections?; June 2001
- "Scientific American" magazine; If a Person's Lung Size Cannot Increase, How Does Exercise Serve to Improve Lung Function?; Jeremy Barnes; May 2005
- "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise"; Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Risk of Upper-Respiratory Tract Infection; Charles Matthews, et al.; August 2002
- "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise"; Is Infection Risk Linked to Exercise Workload?; David C. Nieman; July 2000
