Im trying to increase my vital capacity. I have ben doing deep breathing exersises but it does not seem to be helping much. Any suggestions out there? I have to pass a spirometer test every year and every year I have to convince them I can do it but Im coming off a cold or something. Thanks for the input in advance.
vital capacity?
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fisherdvm
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I never heard of exercises for this. But I wonder if weight loss and aerobic exercise to strengthen your diaphram and intercostal/extracostal muscles would be a quickest and most physiologic way to do it. Not to say that you are overweight by any means. Simply blowing on a spirometer might help, but I still think aerobic exercise is the way to go.
Im 5"11' and 180 so being overweight is not an issue. Im pretty active at work as well as play but certanly could use more arobic activity. I have seen the little devices that you have to work harder to breath through, I wonder if those work at all?
fisherdvm
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I don't know. I know we use them in post surgical patients to prevent pneumonia. By forcing the alveoli to stay open, they are less likely to have collapsed lung which leads to increased incidence of post-operative infection. Perhaps TSM or shakeybrainsurgeon can give you input on this.
It seems to be just too simplistic to improve a healthy person's vital capacity, but I imagine that it can't hurt.
Here is something:
[Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on vital capacity in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema][Article in Japanese]
Inoue M, Ohtsu I, Tomioka S, Hagiya M, Sumi M, Aoki H, Homma T, Hasegawa S.
Division of Respiratory Disease, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
To evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on pulmonary function, 15 patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema underwent pulmonary rehabilitation for six weeks as inpatients. Pulmonary rehabilitation consisted of relaxation techniques, breathing retraining, thoracic massage, physical exercise, and walking. In 8 of the 15 patients vital capacity increased by more than 200 ml (over 10%), and in 7 of the 15 patients the load of maximal exercise increased by more than 5 watts (over 10%). Increases in vital capacity were not associated with increases in maximal exercise load. The percent change in vital capacity associated with pulmonary rehabilitation correlated significantly with the percent change in tidal volume and the percent change in expiratory minute ventilation at the maximal load. The percent change in tidal volume at the maximal load correlated significantly with the percent change in maximum oxygen uptake. We attribute the increase in vital capacity to an improvement in thoracic cage movement. These findings suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation can increase vital capacity in some patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema, and that such an increase is not directly connected to increases in exercise capacity.
It seems to be just too simplistic to improve a healthy person's vital capacity, but I imagine that it can't hurt.
Here is something:
[Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on vital capacity in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema][Article in Japanese]
Inoue M, Ohtsu I, Tomioka S, Hagiya M, Sumi M, Aoki H, Homma T, Hasegawa S.
Division of Respiratory Disease, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
To evaluate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on pulmonary function, 15 patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema underwent pulmonary rehabilitation for six weeks as inpatients. Pulmonary rehabilitation consisted of relaxation techniques, breathing retraining, thoracic massage, physical exercise, and walking. In 8 of the 15 patients vital capacity increased by more than 200 ml (over 10%), and in 7 of the 15 patients the load of maximal exercise increased by more than 5 watts (over 10%). Increases in vital capacity were not associated with increases in maximal exercise load. The percent change in vital capacity associated with pulmonary rehabilitation correlated significantly with the percent change in tidal volume and the percent change in expiratory minute ventilation at the maximal load. The percent change in tidal volume at the maximal load correlated significantly with the percent change in maximum oxygen uptake. We attribute the increase in vital capacity to an improvement in thoracic cage movement. These findings suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation can increase vital capacity in some patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema, and that such an increase is not directly connected to increases in exercise capacity.
fisherdvm
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EFFECTS OF YOGA POSES AND BREATHING EXERCISES ON VITAL CAPACITY IN A HEALTHY MIDDLE-AGED MAN
Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Dec 2003 by Knowles, C, Hamilton, K
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Background & Purpose: The Supplement to A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education: Version 2000 lists yoga as an accepted instructional objective for strength training, flexibility, relaxation, and stress management. Although literature supports efficacy of yoga with patient populations, the literature is lacking relating specifically to physical therapy intervention. Several studies have shown increased vital capacity related to yoga. These studies' durations have ranged from 6 weeks to 1 year, with yoga sessions ranging 40 - 90 minutes. Our study measured the effect of selected yoga poses and breathing exercises on vital capacity. If selected yoga poses and breathing exercises accomplishable in 1 5 minutes daily can increase vital capacity, such a program could be a viable intervention for persons with compromised pulmonary reserve. case Description: A healthy 42 year old man was instructed in 5 yoga poses (asanas) and two yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) by a physical therapist trained in yoga. The subject performed the program 6 days a week for 10 weeks. Measurements were taken at the initial session and at the end of 10 weeks. Measurements included: 1) thoracic excursion measured circumferentially on the thoracic wall at the axilla, xiphoid process, and midway between the xiphoid process and navel; 2) side bending and forward flexion tape-measured on the thoracic wall; and 3) vital capacity measured with the Chest Test Spriometer (VacuMed; Ventura, CA 93003). Outcomes: At the end of the study, the subject's vital capacity increased from 3.93 liters to 4.43 liters, a net gain of 0.5 liters or 9 %. Changes in thoracic expansion and flexibility measures were as follows: circumference at axilla: +7/12 inches; circumference at xiphoid process: +1/4 inch; circumference midway between xiphoid process and navel: +1/3 inch; forward bending: + 1/3 inch; side bending left: - 1/3 inch. Side bending right was unchanged. Discussion: This study indicates vital capacity may be increased utilizing yoga. Small changes in thoracic cage measurement may indicate thai the yoga based breathing exercises (pranayama) were the primary agents of change rather than the poses (asanas). The breathing techniques in the study involve full use of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Training these muscles may result in increased vital capacity over time. Further study is needed with larger populations having pulmonary compromise.
Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Dec 2003 by Knowles, C, Hamilton, K
Find More Results for: "how to increase vital capacity "
How to Prevent a Civil...
Nonprofits gain from...
Efficient converting...
NGOs and local...
Background & Purpose: The Supplement to A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education: Version 2000 lists yoga as an accepted instructional objective for strength training, flexibility, relaxation, and stress management. Although literature supports efficacy of yoga with patient populations, the literature is lacking relating specifically to physical therapy intervention. Several studies have shown increased vital capacity related to yoga. These studies' durations have ranged from 6 weeks to 1 year, with yoga sessions ranging 40 - 90 minutes. Our study measured the effect of selected yoga poses and breathing exercises on vital capacity. If selected yoga poses and breathing exercises accomplishable in 1 5 minutes daily can increase vital capacity, such a program could be a viable intervention for persons with compromised pulmonary reserve. case Description: A healthy 42 year old man was instructed in 5 yoga poses (asanas) and two yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) by a physical therapist trained in yoga. The subject performed the program 6 days a week for 10 weeks. Measurements were taken at the initial session and at the end of 10 weeks. Measurements included: 1) thoracic excursion measured circumferentially on the thoracic wall at the axilla, xiphoid process, and midway between the xiphoid process and navel; 2) side bending and forward flexion tape-measured on the thoracic wall; and 3) vital capacity measured with the Chest Test Spriometer (VacuMed; Ventura, CA 93003). Outcomes: At the end of the study, the subject's vital capacity increased from 3.93 liters to 4.43 liters, a net gain of 0.5 liters or 9 %. Changes in thoracic expansion and flexibility measures were as follows: circumference at axilla: +7/12 inches; circumference at xiphoid process: +1/4 inch; circumference midway between xiphoid process and navel: +1/3 inch; forward bending: + 1/3 inch; side bending left: - 1/3 inch. Side bending right was unchanged. Discussion: This study indicates vital capacity may be increased utilizing yoga. Small changes in thoracic cage measurement may indicate thai the yoga based breathing exercises (pranayama) were the primary agents of change rather than the poses (asanas). The breathing techniques in the study involve full use of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Training these muscles may result in increased vital capacity over time. Further study is needed with larger populations having pulmonary compromise.
I asume you talking about CPEP or one of the simmilar poss pressure devices? I was looking at a, well, a reg mouthpiece that had an adjustable orifice that you had to work to breath in and out with. Claimed to increase lung capacity....SOunds as if I did or continue to do the deep breathing much like the yoga, I my see some improvement.
Thanks for all the info!
Thanks for all the info!
fisherdvm
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Oh, no, not a CPAP... If anything, a CPAP will make your lungs lazy and shrink your vital capacity.
You have never seen those little plastic blow tube thinging in the hospitals?? They usually give any patients undergoing abdominal surgery one... You are suppose to blow and make as many of the little balls fly as long as possible.
Then when you are discharged, you can take it home to show it to your kids, or just throw it away. Can't remember what they call them thingamagic. Probably can buy it on ebay for cheap -hope that you don't catch some germs from them
You have never seen those little plastic blow tube thinging in the hospitals?? They usually give any patients undergoing abdominal surgery one... You are suppose to blow and make as many of the little balls fly as long as possible.
Then when you are discharged, you can take it home to show it to your kids, or just throw it away. Can't remember what they call them thingamagic. Probably can buy it on ebay for cheap -hope that you don't catch some germs from them
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