Effects of Face Masks on Physical Performance and Physiological Response during a Submaximal Bicycle Ergometer Test.

Benjamin Steinhilber,Peter Martus,Tomasz Downar,Adrian Brandt,Rosina Bonsch,Markus Muljono,Julia Gabriel,Mona Bär,Joulia Brountsou,Monika A Rieger,Robert Seibt

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031063

Benjamin Steinhilber, Peter Martus + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031063

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Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires wearing face masks in many areas of our daily life; hence, the potential side effects of mask use are discussed. Therefore, the present study explores whether wearing a medical face mask (MedMask) affects physical working capacity (PWC). Secondary, the influence of a filtering facepiece mask with exhalation valve class 2 (FFP2exhal) and a cotton fabric mask (community mask) on PWC was also investigated. Furthermore, corresponding physiological and subjective responses when wearing face masks as well as a potential moderating role of subjects’ individual cardiorespiratory fitness and sex on face mask effects were analyzed. Thirty-nine subjects (20 males, 19 females) with different cardiorespiratory fitness levels participated in a standardized submaximal bicycle ergometer protocol using either a MedMask, FFP2exhal, community mask, or no mask (control) on four days, in randomized order. PWC130 and PWC150 as the mechanical load at the heart rates of 130 and 150 beats per minute were measured as well as transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure, saturation of peripheral capillary oxygen, breathing frequency, blood pressure, perceived respiratory effort, and physical exhaustion. Using the MedMask did not lead to changes in PWC or physiological response compared to control. Neither appeared changes exceeding normal ranges when the FFP2exhal or community mask was worn. Perceived respiratory effort was up to one point higher (zero-to-ten Likert scale) when using face masks (p < 0.05) compared to control. Sex and cardiorespiratory fitness were not factors influencing the effects of the masks. The results of the present study provide reason to believe that wearing face masks for infection prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic does not pose relevant additional physical demands on the user although some more respiratory effort is required.

Highlights

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, politicians and medical experts established rules to avoid the spreading of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in order to protect the population [1,2,3]
The primary aim of the present study was to confirm that wearing a medical face mask (MedMask) does not decrease physical working capacity (PWC)
The results clearly indicated that wearing typical face masks recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic does not influence PWC, as was shown by the mechanical power in watt per kilogram bodyweight at the heart rates 130 and 150 bpm during a standardized bicycle ergometer protocol in a relevant manner PWC130 was slightly and statistically significant reduced when using the FFP2exhal compared to the no mask condition

Summary

Introduction

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, politicians and medical experts established rules to avoid the spreading of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in order to protect the population [1,2,3]. In this context, face masks have become an important measure since they are effective in reducing respiratory transmission by droplet infection and aerosols [4], and in many areas of life, such as work, wearing face masks has become mandatory [2]. Current recommendations for infection prevention at the workplace in Germany either.

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