Illustration of static exercise impact on pulmonary system.

Static Exercise: How It Impacts Your Pulmonary System

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the unexpected ways static exercises affect your lungs and heart, and how this knowledge can transform your fitness routine."

When you think about exercise, you probably picture running, cycling, or hitting the gym for a high-energy workout. But what about those static exercises, like holding a plank or doing a wall sit? You might not realize it, but these less-dynamic movements have a significant impact on your body, especially your pulmonary system.

For years, experts have understood how static exercises affect the systemic circulation—the network of blood vessels carrying blood from your heart to the rest of your body. These exercises tend to raise blood pressure and increase the workload on your heart. Because of these effects, static exercises were often approached cautiously in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

However, recent research is shedding light on how static exercises specifically influence pulmonary circulation—the flow of blood between your heart and lungs. While aerobic exercise has been extensively studied in this context, the effects of static exercise on pulmonary circulation and the right side of the heart remain less clear. Let’s dive into what the latest studies reveal and how you can use this information to optimize your exercise routine.

The Static vs. Aerobic Showdown: What the Research Shows

Illustration of static exercise impact on pulmonary system.

A recent study published in the Congrès JFK 2017, explored the effects of static exercises on the pulmonary system. Researchers had 26 healthy volunteers perform three types of maximum effort exercises: static (handgrip), dynamic (weight lifting), and aerobic (ergometric table test). During each exercise, they measured various factors, including gas exchange, pulmonary capillary volume (Vc), and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).

The results revealed some fascinating differences between the types of exercises. Aerobic exercise significantly outperformed both static and dynamic exercises in several key areas:

Oxygen consumption (VO2)
Pulmonary diffusion capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO)
Pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc)
Mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)
Cardiac output (CO)

Despite these differences, one critical parameter remained consistent across all three types of exercise: pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). PVR, represented by the slope of the pressure-flow relationship, was not significantly affected by the type of exercise performed. This suggests that while aerobic exercise places a greater overall demand on the cardiorespiratory system, the resistance in the pulmonary vessels stays relatively constant regardless of the activity.

Practical Implications for Your Workout

So, what does all this mean for your fitness routine? Understanding how different types of exercise affect your pulmonary system can help you make informed decisions about your workouts. While aerobic exercise clearly provides a more substantial workout for your cardiorespiratory system, static exercises still play a valuable role in overall fitness. The study suggests that pulmonary vascular resistance remains stable, regardless of exercise type. This could be reassuring for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions who may need to incorporate static exercises into their rehabilitation programs.

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Everything You Need To Know

How do static exercises affect the pulmonary system, and what makes their impact different from aerobic exercises?

Static exercises, such as planks and wall sits, impact the pulmonary system by increasing blood pressure and the workload on the heart. Recent research focuses on their specific influence on pulmonary circulation, which is the blood flow between the heart and lungs. While aerobic exercise is well-studied, the effects of static exercise on pulmonary circulation and the right side of the heart are less clear, but still significant for understanding overall fitness and cardiac rehabilitation.

What key parameters were measured in the Congrès JFK 2017 study, and how did static exercises compare to aerobic exercises in those measurements?

The Congrès JFK 2017 study compared static, dynamic (weight lifting), and aerobic exercises, measuring gas exchange, pulmonary capillary volume (Vc), and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). Aerobic exercise showed greater oxygen consumption (VO2), pulmonary diffusion capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO), pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and cardiac output (CO) compared to static and dynamic exercises.

What is pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and what does the study reveal about its behavior during different types of exercise?

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) indicates the resistance in the pulmonary vessels. The study indicated that PVR, represented by the slope of the pressure-flow relationship, remained consistent across static, dynamic, and aerobic exercises. This suggests that while aerobic exercise places a greater demand on the cardiorespiratory system, the resistance in the pulmonary vessels stays relatively constant regardless of the activity.

How can understanding the effects of different types of exercise on the pulmonary system influence my workout routine and fitness choices?

Understanding the effects of different exercises on the pulmonary system aids in making informed decisions about workouts. While aerobic exercise offers a more substantial workout for the cardiorespiratory system, static exercises remain valuable for overall fitness. The stability of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) across exercise types can be particularly reassuring for individuals with cardiovascular conditions, supporting the incorporation of static exercises into rehabilitation programs.

What implications do the findings on static exercise and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have for cardiac rehabilitation programs?

Cardiac rehabilitation programs need to carefully consider the type of exercise prescribed to patients. While static exercises were often approached cautiously because they raise blood pressure and increase the workload on the heart, the consistent pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) observed across different exercise types suggests that static exercises can still play a role. Tailoring exercise routines based on individual needs and carefully monitoring pulmonary parameters can optimize patient outcomes.