Absolutely agree with Allen. Practicing consistent, vigorous exercise will improve conditioning and lung capacity at any age. USMS certainly seems to agree, as they list "develop lung capacity" as one of the positive benefits of swimming: www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
USA Swimming also discusses the ability of swimmers to improve their lung capacity. They do not place age limits on this: www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx
Holding your breath to increase buoyancy is a misunderstood concept. It is not necessarily guaranteed that filling the lungs with air and holding the breath is going to increase buoyancy enough to counteract the negative effects of avoiding controlled exhalation: increased CO2, increased anxiety, increased tension of the muscles. Here's a good article that discusses this: swimswam.com/.../
Absolutely agree with Allen. Practicing consistent, vigorous exercise will improve conditioning and lung capacity at any age. USMS certainly seems to agree, as they list "develop lung capacity" as one of the positive benefits of swimming: www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
USA Swimming also discusses the ability of swimmers to improve their lung capacity. They do not place age limits on this: www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx
Holding your breath to increase buoyancy is a misunderstood concept. It is not necessarily guaranteed that filling the lungs with air and holding the breath is going to increase buoyancy enough to counteract the negative effects of avoiding controlled exhalation: increased CO2, increased anxiety, increased tension of the muscles. Here's a good article that discusses this: swimswam.com/.../
