Lung Capacity Lab

Introduction

In this investigation the ability of the lungs to inhale and exhale air is determined. The tidal volume, which is the volume of air passed in and out of the lungs in one breath, as well as the forced exhalation

volume, which is a forced exhalation after a normal breath, can be measured using a tool called a spirometer. The vital capacity is the max amount of air the respiratory system can expel. The VO2 is the rate at which oxygen is used in the body and VO2 max is the amount of oxygen your body can use during sustained physical activity. These will also be measured in this investigation. The lung volume of any person varies depending on the individual's size, sex, health and fitness, as well as lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet. The max amount of oxygen your body uses during strenuous activity can be an indicator of physical fitness.

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation is to measure tidal volume (TV), forced exhalation volume (FEV), lung capacity at rest (VC), rate of oxygen used in the body (VO2) and max oxygen used in physical activity (VO2 max).

Hypothesis

If the individual is active and healthy than the lung volumes and VO2, and VO2 max will be at average levels.

Materials

Spirometer

Disposable mouthpiece

Stopwatch

Bathroom scale

Measured race track or GPS

Procedure

Part A: Determine lung volume

Please refer to page 465 in Nelson Biology 11.

Table 1 Lung Capacity Data

Volume (ml)

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Average value

Tidal volume (TV)

300

200

300

300

Forced exhalation volume (FEV)

1000

900

800

900

Vital capacity (VC)

2100

2400

2200

2200

Part B: Determining VO2

Please refer to page 465 in Nelson Biology 11.

Breath per minute and VO2

VO2 = BR x TV x .209 x .2/mass (min/ml/kg)

VO2= 80 x 300 x .209 x .2/59

VO2= 17

Part C: Determining VO2max

VO2max= 22.351 x D - 11.288 (ml/km/min)

VO2max= 22.351 x 2.1- 11.288

VO2 max= 35.650

Observations:

The VO2 and VO2max levels that were measured are at average levels for a female, aged 13-19. Average or good levels for VO2max in this age and sex category are between 35.0-38.9 (refer to table 2). The VO2max level of the average girl with a healthy lifestyle that were measured in this investigation was 35.650.

Table 2 VO2max Norms for Men (M) and Women (W) (ml/kg/min)

Age

M/F

Very poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Superior