Face masks do not reduce performance during training, according to a study

A new study from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) has shown that physical performance and oxygen levels in the blood and muscles are not affected in the case of healthy people who wear masks during intense workouts.

It has been asked whether wearing the mask during strenuous exercise can impair oxygen uptake or increase breathing of carbon dioxide, leading to a condition (hypercapnic hypoxia) in which increased carbon dioxide displaces oxygen in the blood .

But this study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found no evidence to support these concerns.

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“Our findings are important because they indicate that people can wear face masks during strenuous exercise with no detrimental effects on performance and with minimal impact on blood and muscle oxygenation,” explain the researchers.

“If people wear face masks while exercising indoors, it could make sessions safer and allow gyms to stay open during the pandemic. It could also allow for sports, where COVID-19 transmission appears to be high.” . explains study co-author Phil Chilibeck.

The study evaluated the use of a three-layer cloth mask. The study, involving 14 physically active and healthy men and women, monitored the effects of diet, prior physical activity, and sleep during the 24 hours prior to the test.

Participants were asked to do a short warm-up on an exercise bike. The stress test resulted in a progressive increase in intensity on the bike while maintaining the required pedaling speed. Once they have failed to maintain pedaling speed, the test is over.

The team evaluated the participants, who tested three times each, once with a surgical mask, once with a cloth mask, and once without a mask. The team recorded the participants’ blood oxygen levels and muscle oxygen levels during the test using non-invasive measurement tools.