What is the physiological mechanism behind why people who are overweight or less "in-shape" get out of breath more easily than those who are in good shape?
Is it purely power to weight ratio? What are the factors involved?
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I would suggest seeing your doc as we can't diagnose you as there are a myriad of reasons. But things that came to my mind were iron deficiency because I've been having shortness of breath as of late, but then I read on to see that you are physically active & have energy. Maybe exercise induced asthma?? But really... no one on here will be able to tell you so ask your GP. There's so many possible reasons. Good luck.– Butterfly and BonesCommented May 13, 2017 at 17:57
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All mammals get out of breath as far as I am aware, the question is not about my personal health, but rather, what factors exist - probably something to do with oxygen right?– speciesUnknownCommented May 13, 2017 at 17:59
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Right. I gave a very cursory glance. Sorry about that! (I'm having issues concentrating as of late). Yeah, what I've discovered recently is how/why iron levels impact shortness of breath & just general malaise & concentration. It deals with the amount of hemoglobin (oxygen levels in your blood) being sent to organs. Again, I'm not an expert at all. But yeah... I didn't realize all the vast symptoms a deficiency in one thing can cause. So I can't even imagine all the other factors involved.– Butterfly and BonesCommented May 13, 2017 at 18:05
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Thats kind of the stuff I was looking for in an answer (I know that haemoglobin transports oxygen but I don't get why 2 people with the same amount of blood, breathing in the same amount of oxygen, use up that oxygen at different speeds.)– speciesUnknownCommented May 13, 2017 at 18:06
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Also, another odd thing that I was told years ago by my orthopedic surgeon who operated on my spine was... that even though I have fully developed lungs... that I didn't use my lungs to their full capacity because of my high degree of spinal curvature -- lordosis & scoliosis combo. (I haven't researched this to confirm this, which is why I'm not including it in an official answer, but to just throw it out there as another random potential factor). But I'm interested in this. So thanks.– Butterfly and BonesCommented May 13, 2017 at 18:18
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1 Answer
Part of why some people get out of breath faster is due to an inefficiency in the lungs and in the muscles. Muscles use oxygen when they move, the more they move the more oxygen they use. However, muscles are able to adapt and become more efficient in someone who is consistently active. Also, the lungs are powered by intercostal muscles, which are a bunch of small muscles, and the diaphragm. Someone who is fit usually takes deep breaths to account for the increase in Oxygen needed for physical activity, and do this consistently with their exercise routine. Their diaphragm and other lung muscles get stronger with the regular deep breaths taken, making their lungs work more efficiently as well.http://www.active.com/articles/breathing-101-increase-your-efficiency-for-better-oxygen-uptake
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1Welcome to Health.SE. Since health is an important topic, the site has a strict policy that all answers should be backed up with reliable references in order to provide the community with the means to assess the merit of the answer, regardless of the reader's background. See this list of reliable sources. If you still have trouble with this, feel free to visit the help center.– NarusanCommented May 18, 2017 at 19:40