The Physiological and Subjective Effects of Exercising with a Face Mask at Different Intensities

ABSTRACT Introduction Face masks are used to reduce the spread of respiratory diseases. Physical exertion increases distance traveled by expelled particles, so masking while exercising is recommended to help prevent disease transmission. However, there is limited literature assessing masking during higher-intensity exercise. Purpose This study aimed to compare the impact of surgical masks on physiological and subjective measures during 45 min of a progressive exercise protocol as compared with unmasked exercise. Methods Each subject completed two random 45-min exercise trials (15 min each at 40%, 60%, and 80% of their oxygen uptake reserve) with and without a surgical mask in random order. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR), ratings of perceived exertion, and dyspnea (Dys) were measured at each intensity. Repeated-measures ANOVA was utilized, and significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Thirty subjects (age, 20.4 ± 1.2 yr; peak oxygen uptake, 40.12 ± 11.05 mL·kg−1·min−1; 57% female) completed the study. When comparing masked and unmasked trials at each exercise intensity, differences were found only in RR (40%: 17.6 ± 4.9 vs 15.8 ± 4.9, P < 0.02, d = 0.4; 60%: 23.7 ± 5.5 vs 21.3 ± 6.2, P < 0.01, d = 0.4; 80%: 35.8 ± 9.0 vs 30.1 ± 8.8, P < 0.01, d = 0.6). When comparing masked with unmasked trials across all intensities, a difference was found in Dys (3.5 ± 2.4 vs 2.9 ± 2.2, respectively; P < 0.001, d = 0.3). Conclusions The use of surgical masks seems to impact RR and one’s perception of Dys, but has minimal influences on heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rating of perceived exertion. Other than increasing one’s RR and perceptions of Dys, it seems that exercising with a mask at moderate and vigorous intensities is acceptable in healthy individuals.