Effects of surgical and cloth facemasks during a submaximal exercise test in healthy adults

Abstract

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.

Effects of surgical facemasks on perceived exertion during submaximal exercise test in healthy children

“…These findings are in agreement with the results of Li et al who previously observed that the discomfort associated with the use of a surgical facemask was not impacted during rest periods [22]. Moreover, findings from a recent study with a similar design but conducted in adults highlighted that the surgical facemask had no immediate effect on HR, SpO2, or dyspnea [23]. To our knowledge, this is the first study performed in children that evaluated the effect of a facemask during a 1-min submaximal exercise test that reflects the physical level of daily life activities.…”

“…The STST does not reflect sporting activities where the duration and the intensity of the effort are different. Our results have also to be extrapolated with caution to other facemasks as the cloth facemask [23]. The powers of filtration or absolute humidity inside these facemask [22], and then the related resistances can differ.…”

Effects of Wearing Face Masks on Cardiorespiratory Parameters at Rest and after Performing the Six-Minute Walk Test in Older Adults

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that wearing a mask during vigorous physical activities increases breathing difficulties [ 15 ], with reduced oxygen uptake and increased carbon dioxide rebreathing [ 15 ]. Reychler G et al [ 16 ] found that healthy adults wearing a surgical mask had no influence on dyspnea, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation and exercise performance during a short submaximal exercise test. Healthy volunteers wearing surgical masks experienced higher dyspnea than those without masks, but this did not impact results after a 6MWT [ 12 ].…”

Impact of surgical mask on performance and cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal exercise in COVID-19 patients near hospital discharge: A randomized crossover trial

“… 15 , 19 , 20 A recent study found that the intensity of the 1-min sit-to-stand test was not sufficiently high to elicit an increase in dyspnoea sensation with the surgical mask in young healthy adults. 21 A clinically relevant increase in dyspnoea was only noted at the end of the sit-to-stand test with the cloth mask, probably because this mask opposed more resistance to airflow than the surgical mask. 21 In contrast, this study found that acute COVID-19 patients near hospital discharge experienced a significant and clinically relevant dyspnoea sensation at rest, as soon as the surgical mask was worn.…”

“… 21 A clinically relevant increase in dyspnoea was only noted at the end of the sit-to-stand test with the cloth mask, probably because this mask opposed more resistance to airflow than the surgical mask. 21 In contrast, this study found that acute COVID-19 patients near hospital discharge experienced a significant and clinically relevant dyspnoea sensation at rest, as soon as the surgical mask was worn. Although our patients were recovering from COVID-19, they still presented impaired cardiorespiratory fitness as shown by the abnormally elevated respiratory rate and low oxygen saturation values at ambient air before the sit-to-stand test ( Table 3 ).…”