AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What does total lung capacity consist of?

1. Only the forced vital capacity

2. Residual volume only

3. The sum of residual volume and forced vital capacity

4. The total volume of air exchanged during breathing

The correct answer is: The sum of residual volume and forced vital capacity

Total lung capacity refers to the maximum amount of air that the lungs can hold. It is determined by combining two key components: the residual volume and the forced vital capacity. Residual volume is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a forceful exhalation, which ensures that the lungs do not collapse completely. The forced vital capacity, on the other hand, is the total amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible. By adding these two volumes together, you obtain the total lung capacity, which provides an important measure of lung health and respiratory function. Understanding this concept is critical in respiratory physiology, particularly for personal training, as it relates to exercise capacity and overall physical fitness.