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

Matthew E. Darnell, Tyler D. Quinn, Sean P. Carnahan, Tyler Carpenter, Nicholas Meglino, Patrick L. Yorio and Jeanne M. Doperak
Additional contact information
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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-11

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; face covering; graded exercise test; personal protective equipment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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