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Related Concept Videos

External and Internal Respiration01:24

External and Internal Respiration

External respiration occurs in the lungs, and it is the first step in the journey of oxygen inside the body. When we inhale, oxygen enters our lungs and diffuses across the thin alveolar membrane. The alveoli are tiny, air-filled sacs that provide a vast surface area for gas exchange. Oxygen in the alveoli has a higher partial pressure (105 mmHg) than in the adjacent pulmonary capillaries (40 mmHg), establishing a pressure gradient. As a result, oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Respiratory Capacities01:24

Respiratory Capacities

Respiratory capacities are crucial indicators of lung function, representing the maximum amount of air an individual's respiratory system can handle during various breathing phases.
One key metric is the Inspiratory Capacity (IC), which represents the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled with full effort. IC is calculated by summing the tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume, typically ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 liters.
The Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) represents the air in the...
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
Lung Capacity01:47

Lung Capacity

The air in the lungs is measured in volumes and capacities. Lung volume measures reflect the amount of air taken in, released, or left over after a lung function, like a single inhalation. Lung capacity measures are sums of two or more lung volume measures.
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities01:22

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities

The respiratory system is responsible for the intake of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide from the body. Respiratory volumes describe the volume of air in the lungs at different phases of the respiratory cycle. Tidal volume is the air breathed in and out during normal, quiet breathing. Inspiratory reserve volume is the air that can be forcefully inspired beyond the tidal volume. In contrast, expiratory reserve volume refers to the air that can be expelled from the lungs after a normal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method
08:44

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

Alveolar-membrane diffusing capacity limits performance in Boston marathon qualifiers.

Kaleen M Lavin1, Allison M Straub, Kathleen A Uhranowsky

  • 1Human Physiology Laboratory, Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States of America.

Plos One
|September 18, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) significantly predicts marathon finishing times in elite runners, suggesting alveolar-capillary membrane function limits performance in faster athletes. DLNO is a more accurate predictor than DLCO.

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Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method
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Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity
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Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity

Published on: January 6, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Sports Science

Background:

  • Marathon running performance is influenced by numerous physiological factors.
  • Pulmonary diffusing capacity, a measure of gas exchange efficiency, is critical for endurance events.
  • The role of specific diffusing capacities, like for nitric oxide (DLNO) versus carbon monoxide (DLCO), in marathon performance requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between pulmonary diffusing capacity and marathon finishing times.
  • To compare the predictive accuracy of DLNO versus DLCO for marathon performance.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-eight marathon runners underwent pulmonary function tests (DLNO, DLCO) and graded exercise testing.
  • Marathon finishing times were recorded for all participants.
  • Linear regression analyses were used to assess relationships between physiological variables and finishing times.

Main Results:

  • DLNO relative to body surface area (BSA) explained 74% of the variance in finishing times for Boston Marathon qualifiers.
  • DLNO demonstrated a stronger correlation with marathon finishing time (r(2) = 0.30) than DLCO when considering BSA.
  • The relationship between diffusing capacity and finishing time was not significant in non-qualifying runners.

Conclusions:

  • Alveolar-capillary membrane conductance, as indicated by DLNO, is a performance-limiting factor for elite marathoners.
  • DLNO/BSA is a more accurate predictor of marathon finishing time and aerobic capacity than DLCO.
  • These findings highlight the importance of gas exchange efficiency in high-level endurance performance.