Fitness
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is an Expand-A-Lung™?

M.R. Anglin
M.R. Anglin

The Expand-a-lung™ is a device that helps people to enhance their respiratory functions. Many athletes and people with limited lung function, such as those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), may be able to strengthen and enhance their respiratory function by engaging in special exercises. The Expand-a-lung™ may be able to help a person do this. The device is about four inches long (about 10.2 cm) and has a silicon mouthpiece, as well as one moving part that helps to increase and decrease breathing resistance. It is this resistance that can help a person strengthen respiratory muscles and can help him achieve increased lung capacity and breathing efficiency.

In order to increase lung capacity, the Expand-a-lung™ exercises respiratory muscles. When a person inhales, the diaphragm and the external intercostal muscles expand the chest in order to allow the lungs to fill with air. During resting exhalation, the muscles relax, allowing the chest to return to its normal shape, thus expelling the air. With resistance, however, the intercostal muscles, as well as other muscles, must contract in order to expel air. The Expand-a-lung™ works to increase resistance during inhalation and exhalation in order to strengthen muscles and increase breathing efficiency.

Expand-A-Lung is a device used to increase lung capacity.
Expand-A-Lung is a device used to increase lung capacity.

In order to experience the strengthening effect of the device, a person should do the exercises that are recommended. To do these exercises, an individual should start by adjusting the breathing resistance to his preference. He is to then exhale and inhale in order to work his respiratory muscles. In order for the exercises to work efficiently, the breathing resistance on the device should be challenging without restricting air flow too much. The instructions also recommend that a person pause between breaths using the device so that he can recover.

Those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be able to strengthen and enhance their respiratory function by engaging in special exercises.
Those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be able to strengthen and enhance their respiratory function by engaging in special exercises.

The Expand-a-lung™ works by using increased resistance to cause the target muscles to expand the lungs and thorax more than is normally needed. Similarly, exhaling also causes the thorax and lungs to contract more than they normally do. These exercises help to increase the amount of air that is inhaled into the lungs, as well as to allow more air to be expelled during exhalation. This increased inhalation and exhalation allows for more oxygen to be taken in and more carbon dioxide to be expelled in each breath. The result is a person who has trained his lungs and respiratory muscles to be more efficient.

Abnormal chest  X-ray findings are usually not seen until COPD is severe.
Abnormal chest X-ray findings are usually not seen until COPD is severe.

For an athlete, increased lung capacity can help give him an advantage. With more lung capacity, he can achieve greater endurance while engaging in his particular activity. Those with COPD may be able increase their lung capacity so that breathing can become more efficient. It is recommended that the exercises be done before a person eats and before a person engages in certain exercises. The device also should be completely washed with antibacterial soap after every use.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Expand-A-Lung is a device used to increase lung capacity.
      By: Naeblys
      Expand-A-Lung is a device used to increase lung capacity.
    • Those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be able to strengthen and enhance their respiratory function by engaging in special exercises.
      By: joshya
      Those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be able to strengthen and enhance their respiratory function by engaging in special exercises.
    • Abnormal chest  X-ray findings are usually not seen until COPD is severe.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Abnormal chest X-ray findings are usually not seen until COPD is severe.
    • Expand-A-Lung can enhance the respiratory system.
      By: snapgalleria
      Expand-A-Lung can enhance the respiratory system.
    • People with COPD may be able to increase their lung capacity through use of Expand-a-lung so that breathing can become more efficient.
      By: SENTELLO
      People with COPD may be able to increase their lung capacity through use of Expand-a-lung so that breathing can become more efficient.
    • Individuals with limited lung function may be able to perform certain exercises to strengthen lung function.
      By: jovannig
      Individuals with limited lung function may be able to perform certain exercises to strengthen lung function.