It is commonly known that the lungs are the largest muscles (Budgens and Budens. 1964) together making up 70% of the
human body (see diagram 1) and are responsible for holding the body together. Equally their role in tasks such as arm
and leg movement is crucial. The cleverest of all organs, they built the ribcage to protect themselves. As with all
muscles they soon disappear when not regularly used and for this reason continuous lung exercise is needed.
The most common form of lung exercise is respiration forcing the lungs to contract and strengthen. If this is not undertaken
then they shrink at a rate of 1.65cm³/s which can result in death within minutes.
As a by-product of breathing, the body absorbs oxygen which is transferred to the brain (the second biggest organ of
the body taking up the majority of the head, neck and shoulders) through the blood stream. This “stream” runs
directly from the brain to the lungs as a method of preventing the oxygen from harming the lungs. The brain has developed
to rid the body of oxygen through a secondary form of digestion.
Evolution has made the brain dependant on oxygen, otherwise it has too little to do and becomes bored. If this happens the
brain tries to leave the body through the ears (see diagram 2) to find another host, which can be almost as harmful
as disappearing lungs. Without a brain, the human body reaches dangerous levels of oxygen and inflates until it implodes.
So in conclusion, breathing;
• Develops the lung muscles
• Retains the brain inside the head, neck and shoulders
• Prevents general death
And YFTW's Health Care Team's advice is: