Effects of surgical and FFP2/N95 face masks on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Due to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, medical face masks are widely recommended for a large number of individuals and long durations. The effect of wearing a surgical and a FFP2/N95 face mask on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity has not been systematically reported. METHODS:This prospective cross-over study quantitated the effects of wearing no mask (nm), a surgical mask (sm) and a FFP2/N95 mask (ffpm) in 12 healthy males (age 38.1?±?6.2 years, BMI 24.5?±?2.0 kg/m2). The 36 tests were performed in randomized order. The cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses were monitored by ergo-spirometry and impedance cardiography. Ten domains of comfort/discomfort of wearing a mask were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS:The pulmonary function parameters were significantly lower with mask (forced expiratory volume: 5.6?±?1.0 vs 5.3?±?0.8 vs 6.1?±?1.0 l/s with sm, ffpm and nm, respectively; p?=?0.001; peak expiratory flow: 8.7?±?1.4 vs 7.5?±?1.1 vs 9.7?±?1.6 l/s; p?

SUBMITTER: Fikenzer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7338098 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature