Can athletes improve lung function?

For optimum athletic performance, avoid tobacco use and second-hand exposure to environmental tobacco. Also be aware of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Make sure your environment isn’t moldy and that dust is well-controlled. On days when air pollution is highest, don’t exercise outdoors.
If your body is healthy and you’ve avoided exposure to environmental pollutants, your lungs will be strong and you will have 30 to 40 percent lung reserve and will keep you breathing normally well past your 100th birthday! You cannot strengthen your lungs but exercise can increase the efficiency by which your cardiopulmonary system delivers oxygen to your muscles.