[Medical Q&A] Is there a relationship between lung capacity and height?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhou Xin, Chief Physician, First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

There is a certain relationship between lung capacity and height, however, this relationship is not absolute.

Vital capacity is the total amount of gas that can be exhaled to the maximum extent after taking a deep breath. It is an important indicator to measure the ventilation capacity of the lungs and can reflect the gas capacity of the lungs. From this point of view, because taller people usually have larger chest cavities and more space in the lungs, they can inhale more air and thus have greater vital capacity. Although height has a certain relationship with vital capacity, there are many other factors that affect vital capacity: ① Age. With age, vital capacity will gradually decrease; ② Gender. Men usually have greater vital capacity than women; ③ Weight. Being overweight or underweight may affect vital capacity. For example, obesity will limit the expansion of the lungs, while extreme thinness may lead to weakened chest muscles; ④ Exercise habits. People who regularly do aerobic exercise have greater vital capacity; ⑤ Smoking. Smoking will damage lung tissue and reduce vital capacity; ⑥ Environment. Long-term living in an environment with severe air pollution will damage lung health and reduce vital capacity. From this point of view, a short person who exercises regularly may have a greater vital capacity than a tall person who does not exercise regularly. Height is not the only factor that determines vital capacity. Regular exercise (such as aerobic exercise, deep breathing training, etc.), improving posture (such as maintaining correct standing and sitting posture), maintaining a healthy diet, quitting smoking, avoiding prolonged stay in an environment with severe air pollution, etc., these measures can effectively increase lung capacity and maintain lung health.