Question

How might an athlete's vital capacity compare to an non-athlete? Explain your reasoning?

Answer 1

An althlete would have a larger vital capacity than a non-athlete of a similar size. The selection of someone with greater aerobic ability would find people with larger lungs and hence bigger vital capacity. Also training might enhance the ability to expand the lungs a little bit.

An example of an athlete with a large vital capacity is Miguel Indurain, five time winner of the Tour de France. It is said he could shift 8 litres of air in one breath, whereas the average for someone of his size (6'2'' and 180lbs) would be more like 5 or 6 litres.