The effect of using medical masks on cardiovascular responses and rating of perceived exertion of health women during a submaximal exercise protocol

COVID-19 prevalence has a tremendous effect on almost all aspect of human life and wearing respiratory facemasks are recommended as a means of virus control. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of using medical masks on cardiovascular responses and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in healthy women during a submaximal exercise (SE) protocol.

This randomized study conducted to evaluate the effects of respiratory facemasks (N95 versus surgical), or no mask status, following a submaximal exercise (with 60 to 70% intensity of maximal heart rate) in three groups of healthy volunteers females (mean age and body mass index of 28.3±6 years and 23±3 kg/m2, respectively). Participants divided into submaximal exercise+N95 mask, submaximal exercise+surgical mask, and submaximal exercise+Nomask groups. Cardiovascular parameters including QRS duration, QT interval, ST segment, and P wave duration were assessed by an electrocardiogram system; then data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests at the significant level of p≤0.05.

Wearing face masks had no effect on SPO2% (p=0.77), heart rate (p=0.34), QT distance (p=0.64), ST segment (p=0.58), QRS wavelength (p=0.67), and P wavelength (p=0.45)) following SE on treadmill. Values of RPE in the N95 mask group increased significantly as compared to the NoMask (p=0.006) group; while it increased insignificantly when compared to the surgical mask (p=0.06) group.

Wearing a surgical facemask, specifically surgical facemask, during a submaximal exercise protocol does not have a detrimental effects on cardiovascular markers and performance of healthy women.