Human respiration (spirometry)

Measuring pulmonary functions: volumes and capacities

Static parameters (thus, the physical properties of the lungs to change their volume during inspiration/expiration) depend on

• Sex• Age - during adolescence, VC is increasing, but

after reaching the final body size, VC is decreasing• Body height - taller people normally have higher VC

Static parameters provide information about the strength of the respiratory muscles, the elastic properties of the lungs as well as the physical characteristics of the subject's body.

Dynamic parameters provide information about the speed of airflow (pulmonary capacity) during inspiration/expiration. FVC and FEV values depend on the resistance of the pulmonary path (mainly regulated by the diameter of the bronchioli) as well as on the strength of the respiratory muscles.

Recording and evaluation of data

Task1: Measurement of Static Vital CapacityTake at least 6 normal breath (=VT: Tidal Volume), followed by complete expiration (=ERV: Expiratory Reserve Volume), then a complete inhalation followed by deep expiration (=Vital Capacity). Normal breathing should be continued up to 1 minute.

Compare the results of a tall and a short person from the same sex!

Compare the results between a male and a female subject with approximately the same body height!

Task2: Forced inspiration/expiration - dynamic recordingsTake at least 6 normal breath (=VT: Tidal Volume), followed by deep inspiration, then complete expiration should follow with the highest available speed followed by the deepest inspiration with the highest available speed (=FVC: Forced Vital Capacity). Normal breathing should be continued up to 1 minute.

Compare the values between a smoking and a non-smoking person's recording!