increasing your lung capacity

[theasian]

hi all
i was just wondering if anyone knows how i would go about trying to increase my lung capacity. i've been at gym for a year now (so i wouldn't say that i'm unfit) and i enjoy jogging and swimming but the fact that my lung capacity is so small really bugs me. like when i'm swimming i can barely manage two strokes before i'm gasping for air.
i don't smoke and my only health problem is a neurological thing. any suggestions will be welcome
thanks :)

[redheadaussie]

I, too, have trouble with swimming more than a few laps without feeling like I am dying. I finally got a lung function test done and found out I have asthma! Sheesh! Such a simple thing! Now taking Symbicort which is long acting asthma preventer and I can swim lots better now!
Might be just a hidden asthma like me that is all that is wrong.
Cheers

[Dr Arora]

Hi, I will tell you a few methods to increase the lung capacity but it will take time to increase the lung capacity. Practice deep breathing in order to maximize your lung capacity and take in more air with each breath and exhale completely. Breathe in normally, through your nose. Take deep breaths. Breathe out through your mouth with your lips still close together. Put a wide, clean  pipe in your mouth and breathe slowly. Do so very carefully, though, because if you breathe too quickly, you will become lightheaded. Do this for a little while every day, and you will soon realize that you are able to take longer and longer breaths without becoming lightheaded. Play a wind instrument. Keep doing some Aerobics, Cycling, Running and Swimming. Good luck

[gymdandee]

I think you have your routine wrong! It should be 1 1/2 minutes easy  then 30seconds at your maximum heart rate (220 less your age ) then 1 1/2  minutes easy keep alternating this for 20 minutes. you should be wearing a heart rate monitor. it's not the best for lung  capacity.
the routine could also be done on a stationary bike

[galer1]

I also have read that doing intervals can help increase lung capacity.  If you jog on the treadmill, after a proper warm up, speed up the pace to the point that your perceived exertion rate is at a 7 or 8 (on a scale of 10) for approximately 2 minutes, then slow to either a walk or to a slow jog for 1 minute.  Build up until you can repeat the 2-minute fast, 1-minute slow for a minimum of 6 cycles, and occasionally do the same with jogging intervals on an incline.  

Good luck!

[theasian]

thanks! I'll definately give it a try

[gymdandee]

Breathe deeply. Be sure to do the following as you practice deep breathing in order to maximize your lung capacity and take in more air with each breath.
Exhale completely. Don't let any air linger in your lungs. This allows more oxygen-rich air to come in with your next breath. You can ensure the complete evacuation of your lungs by counting out loud. When you can no longer count out loud, you can expel no more air from you lungs.
Allow your diaphragm to descend by keeping your abdominal muscles relaxed. Your abdomen will expand as your diaphragm descends making more room around your lungs, allowing them to fill with air.
Widen your arms, holding them farther away from your body, to help open up your chest.
Inhale for two counts, and exhale for three counts. Maintain this ratio consistently.
Create resistance.
Breathe in normally, through your nose. Take deep breaths.
Breathe out through your mouth with your lips still close together. Open them just slightly so a little bit of air can get out, and with resistance. Try and do this as often as possible -- it makes the sacs in your lungs more used to having to hold air longer, stretching them out. Another way of accomplishing this same effect would be to blow up balloons.
Exercise in water.
Develop a normal stretching and weight lifting routine out of the water. Make sure that you compensate for the fact that weights will feel lighter when you have the water around you. Practice this routine for a few days until you are comfortable with everything.
Take it to the water. Submerge yourself up to your neck, and do the exercises while in the water. This may not seem like it is doing anything to help you at all, but don't worry. Due to the blood shifting into your chest cavity and the compression on your body, you will have to take shorter, quicker breaths when exercising in the water. Research shows that your air capacity will be cut by up to 75% during this time, and your body will try to compensate for that. If your exercise in the water lasts long enough, and you do it regularly, your respiratory system will become more efficient, increasing your lung capacity.
Get extra air.
Take a piece of pipe with a diameter small enough to put into your mouth without hurting your jaw. It should, however, make you open your mouth wide: about as wide as an average yawn. The pipe need not be long at all -- it's not the length you're looking for, but the width.
Put the pipe in your mouth. Breathe. Do so very carefully, though, because if you breathe too quickly, you will become lightheaded. Do this for a little while every day, and you will soon realize that you are able to take longer and longer breaths without becoming lightheaded. If you do this often enough, you should be able to take very deep, full breaths and be perfectly fine. This works because your body is becoming more adjusted to receiving more oxygen with every breath, because, obviously, you don't breathe like you are yawning all the time.
Play a wind instrument.
Learn how to play a woodwind or brass instrument This activity will help you control breathing and expand your lung capacity.
rigorous cardiovascular activity
Swimming - The best sport to improve on your cardiovascular fitness. At their peak, swimmers' lungs will use oxygen three times more efficiently than an average person.
Count. Take a deep breath and then count numbers for as long as you can. Practice it when you have time and each time go for a higher number.