An increase in strength that allows the external intercostal muscles a greater contraction, while the internal intercostal muscles relax during inspiration, forcing more air into the lungs. The greater the contraction, the greater the volume of air
What is lung volume adaptions?
Tidal volume can increase to 1 litre for an average adult and 2 litres for an elite athlete
Vital Capacity can increase allowing for deeper breaths
Minute ventilation can increase by 50% to 150 litres per minute
What is respiratory rate?
It is breaths per minute and the depths of breath. Over time tidal volume of athletes increases, so their respiratory rate can decrease for normal breathing but has the capacity to process increased amounts of oxygen at higher breathing rates
