Facemask Use During High Intensity Interval Exercise in Temperate and Hot Environments

Andrew Wells; Zachary Fennel; Jeremy Ducharme; Abdulaziz Masoud; Jonathan Houck; Bryanne Bellovary; Michael Deyhle; Yu Yu Hsiao; Fabiano Amorim; Christine Mermier

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002461

Facemask Use During High Intensity Interval Exercise in Temperate and Hot Environments

J Occup Environ Med. 2022 May 1;64(5):421-428. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002461. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Authors

Andrew Wells¹, Zachary Fennel, Jeremy Ducharme, Abdulaziz Masoud, Jonathan Houck, Bryanne Bellovary, Michael Deyhle, Yu Yu Hsiao, Fabiano Amorim, Christine Mermier

Affiliation

¹ Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University ofNew Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Dr Wells, Mr Fennel, Mr Ducharme, Mr Masoud, Dr Houck, Dr Deyhle, Dr Amorim, Dr Mermier); Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Wells); Department of Individual, Family and Community Education (Dr Hsiao), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Department of Kinesiology, State University New York Cortland, Cortland, New York (Dr Bellovary); Department of Health and Human Performance, Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia (Dr Houck).

PMID: 35608826
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002461

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of surgical mask use during high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on physiological and perceptual responses in hot and temperate environments.

Methods: In a randomized fashion, 10 healthy participants completed two HIIE sessions in a 36°C hot (HUE-HOT) and two HIIE sessions in a 23°C temperate environment (HIIE-TEMP) while wearing (MASK) and not wearing a surgical mask (CON).

Results: No differences in physiological variables were found between MASK and CON during HIIE. An increase in perceived dyspnea and average RPE was found comparing MASK and CON. Interaction effects showed the greatest changes in perceived dyspnea and average RPE occurred in the HIIE-HOT/MASK condition.

Conclusion: Wearing a surgical mask during HIIE increases the perception of dyspnea and exertion with the greatest effect occurring in hot environments.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05143801.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Dyspnea / etiology
Exercise
Heart Rate / physiology
High-Intensity Interval Training*
Humans
Masks

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05143801