Background Surgical (SM) or cloth facemasks (CM) has become mandatory in many public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. They may interfere with the participation in physical activities. Objective To evaluate how these masks influence dyspnoea (primary outcome), exercise performance and cardiorespiratory response during a 1-min sit-to-stand test (1STST), and to assess masks discomfort sensations. Methods A randomized crossover trial was conducted in healthy adults. They performed 3 1STST (with either no mask (NM), a SM, or a CM) separated from each other by 24–72 h. The number of 1STST repetitions and leg rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Dyspnoea (Borg scale), hearth rate, respiratory rate and SpO 2 were recorded before and at the end of 1STST, as well as after a short resting period. Several domains of subjective discomfort perceptions with masks were assessed. Results Twenty adults aged 22 ± 2y (11 males) were recruited. Wearing the CM generated significantly higher dyspnoea than NM at all time points, but it only became clinically relevant after the 1STST (median difference, 1 [95%CI 0 to 1]). The SM generated a small but significant higher leg RPE than NM (median difference, 1 [95%CI 0 to 1]). The masks had no impact on 1STST performance nor cardiorespiratory parameters. Both masks were rated similarly for discomfort perceptions except for breathing resistance where CM was rated higher. Conclusions In healthy adults, the CM and SM had minimal to no impact on dyspnoea, cardiorespiratory parameters, and exercise performance during a short submaximal exercise test.

Background Wearing a surgical mask in hospitalized patients has become recommended during care, including rehabilitation, to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. However, the mask may increase dyspnoea and raise concerns in promoting rehabilitation activities in post-acute COVID-19 patients. Objective To evaluate the impact of the surgical mask on dyspnoea, exercise performance and cardiorespiratory response during a 1-min sit-to-stand test in hospitalized COVID-19 patients close to discharge. Methods COVID-19 patients whose hospital discharge has been planned the following day performed in randomized order two sit-to-stand tests with or without a surgical mask. Outcome measures were recorded before, at the end, and after two minutes of recovery of each test. Dyspnoea (modified Borg scale), cardiorespiratory parameters and sit-to-stand repetitions were measured. Results Twenty-eight patients aged 52 ± 10 years were recruited. Compared to unmasked condition, dyspnoea was significantly higher with the mask before and at the end of the sit-to-stand test (mean difference[95%CI]: 1.0 [0.6, 1.4] and 1.7 [0.8, 2.6], respectively). The difference was not significant after the recovery period. The mask had no impact on cardiorespiratory parameters nor the number of sit-to-stand repetitions. Conclusion In post-acute COVID-19 patients near hospital discharge, the surgical mask increased dyspnoea at rest and during a submaximal exercise test but had no impact on cardiorespiratory response or exercise performance. Patients recovering from COVID-19 should be reassured that wearing a surgical facemask during physical or rehabilitation activities is safe. These data may also mitigate fears to refer these patients in rehabilitation centres where mask-wearing has become mandatory.

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