Re: What is the Average lung capacity of a teenager?

YOur question, although simply stated, has a complex answer.  Bear with the  
physiology lesson - the answer is at the end.

Lung voumes can be divided into 4 components: Tidal volume, inspiratory 
reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, and residual volume.

Tidal volume (TV) is the amt. of air that moves in and out of the lungs in 
a normal breath.  For an adult, its around 500 ml.

The inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) is the max. amt. of air that can be 
inspired in excess of the normal TV.  Conversely, the max. amt. that can be 
exhaled in excess of the normal TV is the expiratory reserve volume (ERV).

Some air will always stay in the lungs after expiration (about 1,200 ml) - 
this is the residual volume (RV).

LUNG CAPACITIES include the sum of two or more of these measures.  The 
functional residual capacity (FRC) is the sum of RV and ERV.  The 
inspiratory capacity (IC) is the sum of IRV and TV.  The vital capacity 
(VC) is the max. amt. of air that can be exhaled from the point of max. 
inspiration.  FINALLY, the TOTAL LUNG CAPACITY (TLC; about 5,800 ml or 5.8 
liters for an adult male) is the total amt. of air that the lungs can hold. 
This value is about 20 to 25% less in females than in males.

Dependant on the development of the 14-15 year old, and if the teenager was 
a he or she, the TLC would approximate an adult's (around 5 to 6 liters of 
air).

If you want more information on this topic, I suggest you ask your biology 
teacher for a respiratory physiology textbook - I'm sure there is a very 
dusty one on the shelf somewhere.


Editors note: I am very impressed with the scientist's self control in providing a
professional and insightful answer, without resorting to humor. This question almost
begs for a humorous comment about the average lung capacity of a teenager.
Particularly when the teenager does not get the keys to the family car.