1.2.7

The Mechanics of Breathing

Test yourself on The Mechanics of Breathing

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Inhaling

Inhaling is the process of breathing in air by increasing the volume (amount of space within) of the chest cavity. The following changes happen to help increase the chest cavity volume:

Contraction of intercostals

Contraction of intercostals

  • When we inhale, the intercostals (muscles between the ribs) contract. This causes the rib cage to rise up and outwards.
Contraction of diaphragm

Contraction of diaphragm

  • When we inhale, the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle at the base of the chest cavity) also contracts and flattens out.

Exhaling

Exhaling is the process of breathing out by reducing the volume of the chest cavity. Exhalation is passive because the muscles just relax.

Relaxation of intercostals

Relaxation of intercostals

  • When we exhale, the intercostal muscles relax. This causes the rib cage to fall and decreases the volume of the chest cavity.
Relaxation of diaphragm

Relaxation of diaphragm

  • When we exhale, the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle at the base of the chest cavity) relaxes.
Jump to other topics
1

Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1

The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton1.1.4Joints1.1.5Joints 21.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System1.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Contractions
1.2

The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3

Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration1.3.2Recovering After Exercise1.3.3Treatments for Recovery1.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aerobic vs Anaerobic
1.4

Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise
2

Movement Analysis

2.1

Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems2.1.2Mechanical Advantage2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 22.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Lever Systems
2.2

Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement2.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Planes vs Axes
3

Physical Training

3.1

Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness
3.2

The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4

The Principles of Training

4.1

Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training4.1.4Weight & Interval Training4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Training
4.2

Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training4.2.3Warming Up4.2.4Cooling Down4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness
5

Using Data

5.1

Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data5.1.2Qualitative Data
5.2

Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis
6

Sports Psychology

6.1

Skills

6.1.1Skills6.1.2Skills 26.1.3Goals & Targets6.1.4Skills HyperLearning
6.2

Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing6.2.2Guidance6.2.3Guidance 26.2.4Feedback6.2.5Mental Preparation6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance
6.3

Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression6.3.2Motivation6.3.3Personality Types6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation6.3.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aggression
7

Socio-cultural Influences

7.1

Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups

7.1.1Engagement - Gender7.1.2Engagement - Ethnicity7.1.3Engagement - Age & Family7.1.4Engagement - Disability
7.2

Commercialisation

7.2.1Media7.2.2Commercialisation7.2.3Commercialisation 27.2.4Sponsorship7.2.5Arguments for Sponsorship7.2.6Impact of Sponsorship7.2.7End of Topic Test - Engagement & Commercialisation7.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Commercialisation & Conduct
7.3

Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues

7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8

Health & Fitness

8.1

Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness8.1.2Types of Health
8.2

Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle8.2.2Obesity & Performance8.2.3Somatotypes8.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Somatypes
8.3

Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition8.3.2Nutrition 28.3.3Hydration8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

Practice questions on The Mechanics of Breathing

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of the following happens during inhalation?True / false
  2. 2
    Which muscles contract during inhalation?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Which of the following happens during exhalation?True / false
  4. 4
    How would you describe the process of exhalation?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What is the name of the dome-shaped muscle at the base of the chest cavity?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on The Mechanics of Breathing

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Measures of Heart Performance

The Mechanics of Breathing 2