Which statement about the impact of regular exercise on the lungs is correct?

• A. Maintains lung capacity
• B. Keeps lungs healthy
• C. Improves oxygen exchange
• D. Increases breathlessness

Answer: (B)

Regular exercise strengthens the muscles used for breathing and supports overall lung function, helping to keep the respiratory system healthy. When you train, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles become more efficient, air moves in and out more smoothly, and the airways stay clearer. Over time this cardiovascular and muscular efficiency translates into better lung health and a lower risk of respiratory problems, which is why this statement best captures the benefit of regular activity.

The idea that you can significantly increase total lung capacity with exercise isn’t generally true for healthy adults, so that option isn’t the best fit. While training can improve how effectively oxygen gets used in the body, the broader and more relevant outcome for the lungs is maintaining their health through regular use. Additionally, regular exercise tends to reduce feelings of breathlessness with daily activities, not increase them, which makes the choice about breathlessness inaccurate.