What Your Lung Capacity Can (and Can’t) Tell You About Your Fitness, According to a Pulmonologist

Are your lung capacity and fitness level linked?

Here’s what your lung capacity canand can’ttell you about your fitness.

Im an Exercise PhysiologistHeres Why You Shouldnt Worry About Cortisol Spikes When You Do HIIT Workouts.

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This seems like a pretty important part of any workout.

woman sweating in the gym

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But whats the link between lung capacity and fitness level?

Is your lung capacity actually a good indicator of anything?

What theyre really checking is to see if its close to whats expected for someone your body size.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

He adds that certain conditions, like pulmonary fibrosis or scoliosis, can reduce your lung capacity.

Heres What Experts Say

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Exercising wont significantly change your lung capacity, which is really determined by your anatomy.

The major determinant of fitness is the efficiency of your muscles at using oxygen.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

Your endurance increases as your heart and lungs become more efficient at getting oxygen to your muscles.

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Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.