Filling the Lungs

The amplitude of breathing

The amount of air taken into the lungs and the amount of air expelled from the lungs, is a conscious choice that one can make. This is the amplitude of breathing.

By pulling the membrane containing the lungs from the bottom, sides and top, the lungs are filled at full capacity. The full capacity of the lungs is about 6 liters.

When the lungs are deflated, there is still some air left in the system. Air is left in the nasal cavity, in the pipes and in the lungs themselves. When inflating the lung, about 4,8 liters of fresh air is taken in.

Around the age of 25, the capacity of the lungs is at the peak. With age, the capacity of the lungs decreases at a rate of between 0.5% to 2% per year.

For some people, inflation of the lungs to a max or deflation of the lungs to a minimum, may trigger a negative reaction. It is worthwhile experimenting and finding out, how one reacts to the two extremes of breathing.

There are also local minimums and maximums. Diaphragm max, Rib-cage min / max and Chest min. These normally do not cause a trigger.

It is important to flex the lungs, by getting to the minimum and maximum, so that they remain elastic.