Both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities can benefit the lungs. Aerobic activities, such as walking, running or jumping rope, give the heart and lungs the kind of workout they need to function effectively. While exercise doesn't necessarily increase the size of the lungs, it helps them take in more oxygen with each breath, according to Harvard Health. Running also helps the lungs work more efficiently alongside the heart to deliver blood and oxygen to working muscles.
Once you've built up your endurance, you'll be able to run for longer with more consistent and efficient breathing. Your lung capacity determines how long you can perform and exercise, especially cardiovascular exercises such as running. A strong respiratory system will help you become a stronger and more endurance runner. Our lungs have the capacity to hold 1.5 to 2 litres of air more than we use.
In general, regular exercise does not substantially change measures of lung function, such as total lung capacity, the volume of air in the lungs after taking the largest possible breath (TLC), and forced vital capacity, the amount of air that can be expelled after taking the largest possible breath (FVC). In short, the best thing you can do to improve your lung function is simply to take good care of your lungs. As the scientific community continues to put its best minds to the task of solving problems in the human body, the Pulmonary Health Institute will continue to bring these advances to the public in hopes of improving the quality of life for those who need it most. You can improve your lung health by jogging several days a week, increasing your endurance and running in nature.
It goes without saying that constant exposure to air pollution when running can be detrimental to lung health despite the aerobic benefits. In short, lung capacity is the amount of air the body can use, while lung function is how the body uses it.
