Acute Effects of Facial Coverings on Anaerobic Exercise Performance in College-Aged Adults

Ryan T. Conners (), Paul N. Whitehead, Thomas Skarp, Briana Waller, Mark Richard, Carrington Bain, Megan Monks and Mark A. Faghy
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Ryan T. Conners: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Paul N. Whitehead: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Thomas Skarp: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Briana Waller: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Mark Richard: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Carrington Bain: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Megan Monks: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Mark A. Faghy: School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: The use of facial coverings has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to minimize the spread of disease. However, facial coverings may impede ventilation during high-intensity activity, leading to a reduction in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the acute impact of different facial coverings on exercise performance in college-aged individuals during a 300-yard shuttle. It was hypothesized that the lowest heart rate (HR), completion time (CT), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) would occur with no mask. Furthermore, it was hypothesized the SHEMA97 mask would have lower HR, CT, and RPE compared to surgical and fabric masks. Results showed the use of the fabric mask resulted in significantly higher HR compared to no mask ( p = 0.006). The SHEMA97 mask resulted in faster CT and lower RPE compared to both the fabric and surgical masks ( p < 0.001). All mask conditions yielded significantly higher levels of perceived discomfort than wearing no mask ( p < 0.05). While the use of facial coverings can help prevent the spread of disease, their use during exercise may pose limitations to performance; however, the ability of the SHEMA97 to provide minimal changes to CT and RPE provides a promising option.

Keywords: facial coverings; anaerobic exercise; SHEMA97; surgical mask; 300-yard shuttle; exercise performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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