Lung Capacity

[RobInDaUK]

POWERbreathe is the result of nearly a decade of research, and was designed by professional exercise scientists at Birmingham University and Loughborough University, UK.

There you go Maverick

[Mince]

I got told I have massive lungs. I went for a job at Jus-Rol and they had a doctor testing my respiratory system to see if I could cope with flour being everywhere. He said "you're lungs are 20 per cent larger than than the average". I was so chuffed, I thought it would mean I could start throwing tanks around or something. I asked him "so what does that mean I can do now?". He thought for a moment then said "well, nothing really .... you'd take 20 per cent longer to drown, I suppose." Great.

[Mince]

Ha ha! I hope you gave the brazen cur the taste o' the back of your hand!

[Mince]

I don't doubt it!

[mr-cooper]

Who ever wrote that blood doping was adding EPO to your blood was also wrong. (sorry to say)

EPO is a hormone in our bodies which makes the red blood cells. When you inject EPO more red blood cells are made, meaning that you can hold more oxygen.

Blood doping is simply removing an amount of blood from your body and leaving it in a fridge for about 2 weeks. The body will then produce more red blood cells. This means that when you re-inject the blood you took out, you have more red blood cells.

Still - I cant be bothered with fancy gadgets, just train hard and you'll see results

Coops

[Benw]

If your serious about it, the best thing is 'altitude training'

It is not lung capacity that you need to worry about, it is more the amount of heamoglobin that can be carried by your blood.

At sea level, there is a high partial pressure of oxygen which we take in then this joins with your red blood cells and is carried round the body.

When training at altitue, the partial pressure is much lower which makes the red blood cells abitlity to hold oxygen and the efficiency of it far better. This means that when you run back at sea level, with a higher pressure, running becomes literally a breeze and you will find it far easier.

Hey Coops,
Are you into diving? Sounds like a lecture from a SCUBA course.

[Maverick00]

Yep you're right coops i got mixed up.

Anyway, think we've gone a bit overkill on this one, dont think theres any real need to stick some of your blood in your fridge along with your bacon etc just so you've got a better chance of getting that extra level on the bleep test ...

[Maverick00]

Yep you're right coops i got mixed up.

Anyway, think we've gone a bit overkill on this one, dont think theres any real need to stick some of your blood in your fridge along with your bacon etc just so you've got a better chance of getting that extra level on the bleep test ...

[Jon]

A good technique is to live high and train low. But its expensive and the effects dont last.

[Cronkilla]

Maerick: Your right about it stregnthening the lungs. My bad,back to my hole

[joethejudge]

So go swimming?

[robj]

I go swimming after every exercise session (4 x running; 1 x CV in gym)

[Wilky]

At high altitudes the air is thinner. There is less oxygen in every breath you take in comparrison to lower altitudes. So say you were mountain folk and did all the training you've done now up in the mountains then moved down toward sea level you'd be able to run about alot more than most and not be out of breath (as much as you normaly would be anyway). And as someone said asked before "wouldn't your body just return to normal once you go back to a normal altitude"... when you do cardio work and increase the effectiveness of your lungs and heart you can breath more easily, obviously... if you stopped that training then you'd eventually loose that fitness . Interval training is perfect. I did it on a running track. The way I did it was like this...

Run 6 laps of a running track (forget the distance now) at your normal comfortable jogging speed, but then add some more to it and push yourself. Find the average time per lap (mine was something like 1:25 minutes and seconds per lap). Then when it comes to your training run the lap and take a stop watch with you and get to the finish line ON your average lap time (mine would be 1:25). Dont try to beat it, just keep up with your average time. When you reach the finish line take a minute and 30 seconds off or so. Then do your lap again and try and get your average time. Do that 10 times with 1 minute 30 seconds rest in between each lap. I did it about 2 or 3 times a week. After about two weeks of that run around the track twice before stopping and taking your 1:30 break (making sure that you pass the finish line ON your average time, everytime, or at least do your best to do so) and only do 6-8 reps of that instead of 10. After another few weeks do the same again but go around 3 times before the break in between and only do about 4-5 reps of that. It makes you barf... sure but make sure you puke on the side of the track and clear it up otherwise you'll be in bother with the field keeping bloke . I did this training and it helped alot as i had to push myself and increased my "i want to give up meter". It also speeds up your comfortable jogging pace, and when you do run where previously you were breathing out your arse, you'll find you can do them so much easier and could even stop and have a normal conversation without having to get your breath back. Definatley recommended. Sorry about the long and boring post... hope it helps

[joethejudge]

6 laps is 1 1/2 miles
I had to work it out because all the measurements are in KMs over here.

[wildfire213]

i find breathing helps.