How does an athlete's vital capacity affect the athlete's performance?

Vital capacity of the lungs is the maximum volume of air that an individual can exhale after a maximum inhalation. Thus, a large maximum capacity of the lungs reflects a large respiratory capacity. This, in turn, increases the amount of energy produced by cellular respiration. Thus, an increase in vital capacity will increase energy production. This is beneficial to the performance of an athlete.         

During exercise, there is an increased need for oxygen by an athlete's cells...

Vital capacity of the lungs is the maximum volume of air that an individual can exhale after a maximum inhalation. Thus, a large maximum capacity of the lungs reflects a large respiratory capacity. This, in turn, increases the amount of energy produced by cellular respiration. Thus, an increase in vital capacity will increase energy production. This is beneficial to the performance of an athlete.         

During exercise, there is an increased need for oxygen by an athlete's cells and muscles. This is because the oxygen that the body needs is being used at a faster rate. Likewise, carbon dioxide that is toxic to the body is being produced at a faster rate.  A greater vital capacity ensures that extra oxygen is delivered to the body and the excess carbon dioxide is exported from the body.

The use of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide occur within the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells during a process known as cellular respiration. Cellular respiration increases with exercise because it is cellular respiration that produces energy for the body. During cellular respiration, oxygen gas and the sugar glucose are used to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and the energy source called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

When an athlete inhales, oxygen is brought into the lungs. This oxygen is picked up by the hemoglobin of red blood cells that is found in small capillaries located within the alveoli of the lungs. In this way, oxygen can be delivered to the cells that need it for cellular respiration.

Similarly, once carbon dioxide is produced by cellular respiration, it is picked up by the blood. The blood travels through the veins to the lungs. When an athlete exhales, the carbon dioxide is removed from the body.

Thus, an increase in an athlete’s vital capacity increase the rate of cellular respiration and the amount of ATP that can be used during exercise.