Lung Volumes + Capacity’s

Tidal Volume (Vt)

Volume of gas that normally moves into and out of the lungs in 1 breath (normal breathing)

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The extra amount of air you can force into your lungs after a normal breath

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The extra amount of air you can force out of your lungs after a normal breath

Residual Volume (RV)

The amount of air that stays inside your lungs after expiring

Vital Capacity (VC)

The absolute MAXIMUM air you can move in and out of your lungs in a single giant breath (IRV + Vt + ERV)

Inspirations Capacity (IC)

The MAXIMUM amount of air you can inhale (IRV + Vt)

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

The amount of air remaining inside your lungs at the end of a normal breath (ERV + RV)

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The MAXIMUM amount of air in your lungs you can hold (IC + FRC)

Residual Volume / Total Lung Capacity (RV/TLC)

The percentage of your total lung size is made up of unbreathable, trapped air (“dead space percentage”)

RV/TLC Percentage Equation

RV/TLC x 100