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Acute effects of using mask during exercise on physiological indices
Author
Lim, Boon Kwang
Supervisor
Govindasamy Balasekaran
Abstract
Purpose: Mask confers protection against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission during the pandemic but there are concerns on its use during exercise. Our study sought to broaden existing studies by investigating the impact of use of cloth mask on Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE), physiological indices, OMNI Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Ratings of Mask Discomfort (RMD) at Lactate Threshold (LT) and Peak Exercise. RMD were measured in 5 different areas: Overall Mask Discomfort (OMD), Breathing Resistance (BR), Hotness Warmness Stuffiness (HWS), Odour or Smelly (OS) and Itchiness (ITCH).
Methods: Participants were randomised and assigned to either cloth mask (CM) or no mask (NM) condition, to undergo a discontinuous incremental treadmill running protocol. All indices were recorded at the end of each incremental stage. All participants crossover to perform the same test for the other condition at the end of 7-day washout period. Significance of all statistical analysis was set at P < 0.05, unless otherwise stated.
Results: Wearing of CM significantly affect overall physiological indices, RPE and RMD (P < 0.05). Overall, VO2, OMD, BR, HWS, OS were significantly different for NM and CM conditions (P < 0.05) while Heart Rate (HR) (P = 0.09), blood lactate (P = 0.29), RPE (P = 0.42) and ITCH (P = 0.34) were not significantly different between conditions. At peak exercise, almost all indices [TTE, Maximum Oxygen Uptake (VO2max), HR, lactate, Minute Ventilation (VE), Respiratory Rate (RR), OMD, BR, HWS] were significantly different between conditions (P < 0.05). Only OS and ITCH were not significantly different. At LT, VO2, VE, OMD, BR and HWS indicated significant differences between conditions while the remaining indices (Speed, HR, lactate, RR, RPE, OS and ITCH) did not differ between conditions.
Conclusion: Amidst significant changes in physiological indices associated with wearing of mask during exercise, there were higher perceptual discomforts though generally tolerable by healthy active population at light intensities to LT. Wearing of CM during exercise at high intensity levels are generally not advisable as almost all indices in our study were significantly different and may potentially cause adverse physiological or physical response. At the same time, this finding presents an opportunity for individuals and exercise practitioners to modify and adapt their programming in achieving training objectives.
Methods: Participants were randomised and assigned to either cloth mask (CM) or no mask (NM) condition, to undergo a discontinuous incremental treadmill running protocol. All indices were recorded at the end of each incremental stage. All participants crossover to perform the same test for the other condition at the end of 7-day washout period. Significance of all statistical analysis was set at P < 0.05, unless otherwise stated.
Results: Wearing of CM significantly affect overall physiological indices, RPE and RMD (P < 0.05). Overall, VO2, OMD, BR, HWS, OS were significantly different for NM and CM conditions (P < 0.05) while Heart Rate (HR) (P = 0.09), blood lactate (P = 0.29), RPE (P = 0.42) and ITCH (P = 0.34) were not significantly different between conditions. At peak exercise, almost all indices [TTE, Maximum Oxygen Uptake (VO2max), HR, lactate, Minute Ventilation (VE), Respiratory Rate (RR), OMD, BR, HWS] were significantly different between conditions (P < 0.05). Only OS and ITCH were not significantly different. At LT, VO2, VE, OMD, BR and HWS indicated significant differences between conditions while the remaining indices (Speed, HR, lactate, RR, RPE, OS and ITCH) did not differ between conditions.
Conclusion: Amidst significant changes in physiological indices associated with wearing of mask during exercise, there were higher perceptual discomforts though generally tolerable by healthy active population at light intensities to LT. Wearing of CM during exercise at high intensity levels are generally not advisable as almost all indices in our study were significantly different and may potentially cause adverse physiological or physical response. At the same time, this finding presents an opportunity for individuals and exercise practitioners to modify and adapt their programming in achieving training objectives.
Date Issued
2023
Call Number
QP301 Lim
Date Submitted
2023