Tidal volume and vital capacity

Air moves by mass flow into and out of the lungs during breathing. This is caused by the contraction and relaxation
of external intercostal muscles and muscles in the diaphragm. When these contract, they increase the volume of
the thoracic cavity and draw air down through the trachea and into the bronchi and bronchioles. When they relax,
the thoracic volume decreases and air flows out, down a pressure gradient.

The volume of air that is moved into or out of the lungs during one breath is called the tidal volume. It is generally
about 0,5 dm3. The maximum amount of air that can be moved in or out during the deepest possible breath is
called the vital capacity. It is generally somewhere between 3 dm3 and 5 dm3.

Suggest why the researchers also measured the vital capacity of the people in the study