vital capacity
| Dictionary: vital capacity |
n.
The amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible.
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| Food and Fitness: vital capacity |
The maximal volume of air forcefully expelled from the lungs after a maximal inspiration. It is a measure of the maximum amount of air the lungs can breathe in or out. At rest, values vary from about 3.5-6.0 litres, according to age, sex, and height. Measurements of vital capacity are used as part of a fitness assessment. A person whose vital capacity is less than 75 per cent of the expected value, is generally advised to consult a doctor for further testing before exercising vigorously. See also lung volume.
| Dental Dictionary: vital capacity |
n
A measurement of the amount of air that can be expelled at the normal rate of exhalation after a maximum inspiration, representing the greatest possible breathing capacity.
| Sports Science and Medicine: vital capacity |
VC
The maximum volume of air forcefully expired after maximal inspiration. Values vary from 3.5 to 6.0 l at rest. The value decreases slightly during exercise.
| Wikipedia: Vital capacity |
Main article: Spirometry
Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inspiration. It is equal to the inspiratory reserve volume plus the tidal volume plus the expiratory reserve volume.
Force vital capacity is the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale after maximum inhalation. It can also be the maximum volume of air that a person can inhale after maximum exhalation.
A person's vital capacity can be measured by a spirometer which can be a wet or regular spirometer. In combination with other physiological measurements, the vital capacity can help make a diagnosis of underlying lung disease. The unit that is used to determine this vital capacity is milliliters.
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Food and Fitness. Food and Fitness: A Dictionary of Diet and Exercise. Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Sports Science and Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Vital capacity". Read more |
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