Spirometry

During spirometry, a person breathes through a mouthpiece connected to calibrated equipment. A common manoeuvre begins with a full inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation. The report may include forced vital capacity and the volume expelled during the first second, along with the relationship between those measurements.

Quality depends heavily on technique. A tight seal, a complete inhalation, a rapid start, and continued effort all matter, and several attempts may be used to check repeatability. Reference ranges account for characteristics such as age, sex, and height. A number outside an expected range is a finding that needs context, not a diagnosis on its own.

Spirometry focuses on airflow and exhaled volume. It does not directly measure VO2 max, body composition, or oxygen delivery by the circulation. When breathing measurements are collected during an exercise assessment, they can add useful context to the pattern of ventilation as workload rises.

Reported values may include measured litres, percentages of predicted values, and a flow-volume curve. The curve's shape and test acceptability notes carry information that a single percentage cannot. Comparisons should retain the same reference equations and equipment context.

Spirometry can reveal an airflow pattern that merits further interpretation, but it does not measure every aspect of lung function. For example, reduced exhaled volume can suggest several possibilities, while confirming restricted lung volume requires a different type of measurement.

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