tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Scand J Med Sci Sports
. 2020 Sep 24.
doi: 10.1111/sms.13832. Online ahead of print.
Return to training in the COVID-19 era: The physiological effects of face masks during exercise
Danny Epstein[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alexander Korytny[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Yoni Isenberg[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Erez Marcusohn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Robert Zukermann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Boaz Bishop[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sa'ar Minha[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Aeyal Raz[SUP] 7 8 [/SUP], Asaf Miller[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreak has a profound impact on almost every aspect of life. Universal masking is recommended as a means of source control. Routinely exercising in a safe environment is an important strategy for healthy living during this crisis. As sports clubs and public spaces may serve a source of viral transmission, masking may become an integral part of physical activity. This study aimed to assess the physiological effects of wearing surgical masks and N95 respirators during short term strenuous workout. This was a multiple cross-over trial of healthy volunteers. Using a standard cycle ergometry ramp protocol, each subject performed a maximal exercise test without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with an N95 respirator. Physiological parameters and time to exhaustion were compared. Each subject served his own control. Sixteen male volunteers (mean age and BMI of 34 ?4 years and 28.72 ?3.78 kg/m2, respectively) completed the protocol. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and time to exhaustion did not differ significantly. Exercising with N95 mask was associated with a significant increase in end-tidal carbon-dioxide (EtCO[SUB]2[/SUB] ) levels. The differences were more prominent as the load increased, reaching 8mmHg at exhaustion (none vs. N95, p=0.001). In conclusion, in healthy subjects, short term moderate-strenuous aerobic physical activity with a mask is feasible, safe, and associated with only minor changes in physiological parameters, particularly a mild increase in EtCO[SUB]2[/SUB] . Subjects suffering from lung diseases should have a cautious evaluation before attempting physical activity with any mask.
Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Face Masks; Personal distancing; Physical activity; Sport.
. 2020 Sep 24.
doi: 10.1111/sms.13832. Online ahead of print.
Return to training in the COVID-19 era: The physiological effects of face masks during exercise
Danny Epstein[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alexander Korytny[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Yoni Isenberg[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Erez Marcusohn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Robert Zukermann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Boaz Bishop[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sa'ar Minha[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Aeyal Raz[SUP] 7 8 [/SUP], Asaf Miller[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32969531
- DOI: 10.1111/sms.13832
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreak has a profound impact on almost every aspect of life. Universal masking is recommended as a means of source control. Routinely exercising in a safe environment is an important strategy for healthy living during this crisis. As sports clubs and public spaces may serve a source of viral transmission, masking may become an integral part of physical activity. This study aimed to assess the physiological effects of wearing surgical masks and N95 respirators during short term strenuous workout. This was a multiple cross-over trial of healthy volunteers. Using a standard cycle ergometry ramp protocol, each subject performed a maximal exercise test without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with an N95 respirator. Physiological parameters and time to exhaustion were compared. Each subject served his own control. Sixteen male volunteers (mean age and BMI of 34 ?4 years and 28.72 ?3.78 kg/m2, respectively) completed the protocol. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and time to exhaustion did not differ significantly. Exercising with N95 mask was associated with a significant increase in end-tidal carbon-dioxide (EtCO[SUB]2[/SUB] ) levels. The differences were more prominent as the load increased, reaching 8mmHg at exhaustion (none vs. N95, p=0.001). In conclusion, in healthy subjects, short term moderate-strenuous aerobic physical activity with a mask is feasible, safe, and associated with only minor changes in physiological parameters, particularly a mild increase in EtCO[SUB]2[/SUB] . Subjects suffering from lung diseases should have a cautious evaluation before attempting physical activity with any mask.
Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Face Masks; Personal distancing; Physical activity; Sport.