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Effect of Cloth Masks and N95 Respirators on Maximal Exercise Performance in Collegiate Athletes

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew E. Darnell

    (Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3860 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA)

  • Tyler D. Quinn

    (National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 626 Cochrans Mill Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA)

  • Sean P. Carnahan

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, 3200 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA)

  • Tyler Carpenter

    (Department of Athletics, University of Pittsburgh, 3502 Aliquippa Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA)

  • Nicholas Meglino

    (Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3860 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA)

  • Patrick L. Yorio

    (Strategic Programs Office (SPO), Human Resources Office (HRO), Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO), 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA)

  • Jeanne M. Doperak

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, 3200 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA)

Abstract

This study compared exercise performance and comfort while wearing an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (N95), cloth mask, or no intervention control for source control during a maximal graded treadmill exercise test (GXT). Twelve Division 1 athletes (50% female, age = 20.1 ± 1.2, BMI = 23.5 ± 1.6) completed GXTs under three randomized conditions (N95, cloth mask, control). GXT duration, heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcPCO 2 ), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived comfort were measured. Participants ran significantly longer in control (26.06 min) versus N95 (24.20 min, p = 0.03) or cloth masks (24.06 min, p = 0.04). No differences occurred in the slope of HR or SpO 2 across conditions ( p > 0.05). TcPCO 2 decreased faster in control (B = −0.89) versus N95 (B = 0.14, p = 0.02) or cloth masks (B = −0.26, p = 0.03). RR increased faster in control (B = 8.32) versus cloth masks (B = 6.20, p = 0.04). RPE increased faster in the N95 (B = 1.91) and cloth masks (B = 1.79) versus control (B = 1.59, p < 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively). Facial irritation/itching/pinching was higher in the N95 versus cloth masks, but sweat/moisture buildup was lower ( p < 0.05 for all). Wearing cloth masks or N95s for source control may impact exercise performance, especially at higher intensities. Significant physiological differences were observed between cloth masks and N95s compared to control, while no physiological differences were found between cloth masks and N95s; however, comfort my differ.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew E. Darnell & Tyler D. Quinn & Sean P. Carnahan & Tyler Carpenter & Nicholas Meglino & Patrick L. Yorio & Jeanne M. Doperak, 2022. "Effect of Cloth Masks and N95 Respirators on Maximal Exercise Performance in Collegiate Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7586-:d:844154
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Piotr Ostrowski & Helena Masiuk & Piotr Kulig & Anastasiia Skoryk & Aleksandra Wcisłek & Joanna Jursa-Kulesza & Angela Sarna & Michał Sławiński & Maciej Kotowski & Karol Tejchman & Katarzyna Kotfis & , 2023. "Medical Face Masks Do Not Affect Acid–Base Balance Yet Might Facilitate the Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus in Hospital Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.

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