Wearing face masks during physical activity and selected circulatory and respiratory parameters – a clinical study

Background:
Due the COVID-19 pandemic, covering the nose and mouth became mandatory in the light of the epidemiological crisis of the spread of SARS-CoV-2. There are many of doubts in the society regarding the health aspects of long-term wear of protective face masks and their effectiveness in limiting the transmission of the pathogen.

Aims:
Assessment of the relationship between wearing face masks and changes in saturation (Sp02), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP), induced by physical activity. Analysis of whether the subjective assessment of exercise intensity is consistent with measured levels of saturation, heart rate and blood pressure.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted on 31 healthy adults (16 of these being men) aged 19-67 years. Participants completed the research questionnaire and were subjected to two exercise tests on an ergometer. Only in the first trial a surgical masks were worn. After each trial, breathing quality and fatigue were assessed, and HR, BP and SpO2 were recorded.

Results:
The use of face masks during physical activity in healthy participants did not generate clinically significant changes in SpO2, HR, or BP compared to physical activity without the use of face masks. Deterioration in the experience of breathing during physical activity while wearing a face mask is not correlated with changes in the values of SpO2, HR, or BP.

Conclusions:
Physical activity while wearing face masks lowers the level of saturation and increases blood pressure, and heart rate when compared to exercising without face masks. The differences, however, are minimal and should not negatively affect patients’ health, thus wearing face masks during exercise is considered safe. The subjectively perceived feelings of dyspnea do not result from changes in the examined parameters.