Lung capacity determines the amount of air your lungs can hold, which is important for your cardiovascular health and endurance. Although you cannot change the size of your lungs, you can improve performance and health by increasing your lung capacity.
Before You Begin
The best way to begin increasing your lung capacity is to give up (or never start) smoking. Smoking will diminish your lung capacity and health, along with other potential complications.
The Beginning Stages
Exercise is one of the best ways to increase lung capacity. Cardio-enhancing activities generally improve the heart, lungs and circulatory system, and help the blood cells transport oxygen more efficiently throughout the body. Bear in mind that increasing lung capacity through exercise is not an overnight process and requires dedication and time.
Take A Deep Breath
Aerobic exercises that use the long muscles of the arms and the legs are the best sort of activity for increasing lung capacity because they increase the heart rate and make you get out of breath -- forcing your lungs to work harder to maintain your levels of oxygen. Over time, your lungs become used to the activity and you can increase how much aerobic exercise you are doing, along with adding strength training to improve the health of your muscles and bones.
Activities like running, swimming, walking and dancing are all great aerobic exercises to improve the lungs and heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are also activities like yoga and tai chi that involve deep breathing and improve lung capacity without harming the joints.
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