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Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Mechanics of breathing and spirometer traces

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

How the diaphragm, intercostals and rib cage work at rest and in exercise, tidal, inspiratory reserve, expiratory reserve and residual volumes, and reading a spirometer trace.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Describe how a spirometer trace changes at the onset of exercise.

Key term

What do the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles do when you breathe in at rest?

Key term

How does breathing in at rest make air enter the lungs?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What do the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles do when you breathe in at rest?

    Model answer

    The diaphragm contracts and flattens, moving downwards. The intercostal muscles contract and lift the rib cage up and out.

  2. 2

    How does breathing in at rest make air enter the lungs?

    Model answer

    The chest cavity gets bigger, so the air pressure inside the lungs falls. Air moves in from the higher pressure outside the body.

  3. 3

    What do the diaphragm, intercostals and rib cage do when you breathe out at rest?

    Model answer

    The diaphragm relaxes and rises back into a dome shape. The intercostals relax, so the rib cage moves down and in.

  4. 4

    How does breathing out at rest force air out of the lungs?

    Model answer

    The chest cavity becomes smaller, so the air pressure in the lungs rises. Air moves out to the lower pressure outside the body.

  5. 5

    Which extra muscles help a performer breathe in more deeply during exercise?

    Model answer

    The pectorals and the sternocleidomastoid help lift the rib cage further. The lungs can then expand more and take in more air.

  6. 6

    How do the abdominal muscles help a performer breathe out during exercise?

    Model answer

    The abdominal muscles contract to pull the rib cage down more quickly. Air is forced out of the lungs faster.

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Applied Anatomy and Physiology
Movement Analysis
Physical Training
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CThe zone runs from 0.6 × 200 = 120 bpm to 0.8 × 200 = 160 bpm.

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