Respiratory System adaptions

Question 1

Describe the respiratory system adaption of respiratory muscle efficiency

Answer 1

-An increase in strength allows the external intercostal muscles greater contraction, while internal intercostal muscles relax during inspiration, forcing more air into the lungs
-The greater the contraction of the internal intercostals and relaxation of the external intercostals, the greater the volume of air inspired

Question 2

Describe the respiratory system adaption of lung volume adaptions

Answer 2

-Tidal volume can increase dramatically, to approximately 1 litre for an average adult and 2 litres for an elite athlete
-vital capacity can increase allowing for deeper and more oxygen rich breaths. Residual volume is also likely to increase in proportion to this increase
-Trained athletes’ minute ventilation can increase by 50 percent to 150 litres per minute