Would my lung capacity have increased?

[AbracaDeborah]

Just started week 7, and have a question...

I've noticed that during the day (when I'm not exercising) when I take a deep intake of breath it feels like I have more space?

I guess I exercise my lungs more now! Might this be a sign they are working better?

[Rainbowsmurf Graduate]

Don't know but I have noticed that I can breathe more easily. As if tightness has gone from my chest. Think it's somewhere I carried lots of tension.

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to Rainbowsmurf]

Thanks Rainbowsmurf, maybe I'm just better practiced at breathing now I do more huffing and puffing

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Before C25k I was amazed at every health check ( even as a child) that I wasn't diagnosed as having asthma as my lung capacity felt so small. I honestly felt that, having a small body, I naturally had smaller lungs than everyone else!!!!!!

Having now done a bit of exercise I think I must just have been bonkers! I love the feeling of taking in a huge breath of fresh air I feel I have really strong lungs.

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Yes, it was a good feeling

[Hungryhorse63]

Well I only have 50% lung capacity the top half of my lungs are damaged. Before I started my cardiovascular fitness and running. I was reliant on my inhalers to take a breath. Hospital told me that cardiovascular exercise such as running will make you use all your lung capacity instead of just the top half. So I guess that works for normal lungs too!

XxHH

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to Hungryhorse63]

Thanks HH, yes that makes sense maybe I'm just using what I've got, but better!

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Almost certainly, yes and your lung capacity should improve a good bit more as you increase your distances.

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Thanks Dunder

[Rignold]

After 7 weeks of cardiovascular exrecise you are ntoicingan increase in cardiopulmonary capacity? There is possibly a connection.

Imagine how you will feel after another 7 weeks... 7 months...

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Thanks Rignold, great to think I've got a lot more health benefits to look forward to

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I am willing to be corrected, but I believe it is not possible to increase lung volume, only efficiency.

[AbracaDeborah Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yep, they could just be working better, it's a good feeling

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

I think our lung capacity has increased. When I first started exercising, when I breathed in, it felt like I could only breathe in so far but nowadays it feels deeper with less resistance. Julie

[Returning2Run Graduate]

I wonder if it's the same thing as when I train in opera singing- you build up the muscles around the lungs to create better control of them. When training in singing there's a focus on core strength in the abdominals that better support the diaphragm when controlling our breathing and also building up our intercostal muscles between the ribs to bring more breath into the deepest part of the lungs at the bottom which are the parts of the lungs we use when singing and when we generally take a big breath (as long as the shoulders aren't rising).

[AbracaDeborah Graduate]

This running lark certainly makes you more conscious of how amazing your body is, not something I really thought about too hard before trying to make it do more exercise! Thanks for all your replies