Wednesday, July 7, 2010

LUNG CAPACITY

PURPOSE : To measure the amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs.

MATERIALS : Plastic dishpan
                           2 feet ( 61 cm ) of aquarium tubing
                           1 gallon ( 4 liters ) plastic milk jug with cap
                           Masking tape
                           Pen

PROCEDURE :
  • Place the strip of masking tape down the side of the milk jug from top to bottom.
  • Fill the jug with water, and screw on the cap.
  • Fill the dishpan about 1/2 full with water.
  • Place the jug upside down in the water, and remove the cap.
  • Have a helper hold the jug. Do not allow air bubbles to enter the milk jug.
  • Place one end of the aquarium tubing inside the mouth of the jug.
  • Take a normal breath and exhale through the tubing. Mark the water level on the tape.
  • Refill the jug with water and return it to the dishpan.
  • Breath in deeply and make an effort to exhale all of the air out of your lungs through the tubing. Mark the water level on the tape.
RESULTS : The water level drops as exhaled air enters the jug. Normal breathing does not push out as much water as does deep breathing.

WHY ?When the air enters the jug it pushes the water out the opening. In normal breathing, only about one eighth of lungs' capacity is used. During exercise, more air is taken in and exhaled, thus there is a amount of air exhaled during deep breathing.

No comments:

Post a Comment