Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
Sports Health. 2021 Sep-Oct;13(5):463-470. doi: 10.1177/19417381211028212. Epub 2021 Jul 1.
While increased face mask use has helped reduce COVID-19 transmission, there have been concerns about its influence on thermoregulation during exercise in the heat, but consistent, evidence-based recommendations are lacking.
No physiological differences would exist during low-to-moderate exercise intensity in the heat between trials with and without face masks, but perceptual sensations could vary.
Crossover study.
Level 2.
Twelve physically active participants (8 male, 4 female; age = 24 ± 3 years) completed 4 face mask trials and 1 control trial (no mask) in the heat (32.3°C ± 0.04°C; 54.4% ± 0.7% relative humidity [RH]). The protocol was 60 minutes of walking and jogging between 35% and 60% of relative VO. Rectal temperature (T), heart rate (HR), temperature and humidity inside and outside of the face mask (T, T, RH, RH) and perceptual variables (rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, thirst sensation, fatigue level, and overall breathing discomfort) were monitored throughout all trials.
Mean T and HR increased at 30- and 60-minute time points compared with 0-minute time points, but no difference existed between face mask trials and control trials ( > 0.05). Mean T, RH, and humidity difference inside and outside of the face mask (ΔRH) were significantly different between face mask trials ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in perceptual variables between face mask trials and control trials ( > 0.05), except overall breathing discomfort ( < 0.01). Higher RH, RPE, and thermal sensation significantly predicted higher overall breathing discomfort ( = 0.418; < 0.01).
Face mask use during 60 minutes of low-to-moderate exercise intensity in the heat did not significantly affect T or HR. Although face mask use may affect overall breathing discomfort due to the changes in the face mask microenvironment, face mask use itself did not cause an increase in whole body thermal stress.
Face mask use is feasible and safe during exercise in the heat, at low-to-moderate exercise intensities, for physically active, healthy individuals.
尽管增加口罩的使用有助于降低 COVID-19 的传播，但人们对其在热环境中运动时对体温调节的影响仍存在担忧，但目前缺乏一致的、基于证据的建议。
在热环境中进行低至中等强度的运动时，戴口罩和不戴口罩的试验之间不会存在生理差异，但感知觉可能会有所不同。
交叉研究。
2 级。
12 名身体活跃的参与者（8 名男性，4 名女性；年龄=24±3 岁）在热环境（32.3°C±0.04°C；54.4%±0.7%相对湿度[RH]）中完成了 4 次口罩试验和 1 次对照试验（不戴口罩）。方案为 60 分钟的步行和慢跑，强度为相对 VO 的 35%至 60%。直肠温度（T）、心率（HR）、口罩内外的温度和湿度（T、T、RH、RH）以及感知变量（感知用力程度[RPE]、热感觉、口渴感、疲劳程度和整体呼吸不适）在所有试验中均进行监测。
与 0 分钟时间点相比，T 和 HR 在 30 分钟和 60 分钟时间点增加，但口罩试验和对照试验之间没有差异（>0.05）。口罩试验之间的 T、RH 和口罩内外的湿度差（ΔRH）有显著差异（<0.05）。口罩试验和对照试验之间的感知变量没有显著差异（>0.05），除了整体呼吸不适（<0.01）。较高的 RH、RPE 和热感觉显著预测了更高的整体呼吸不适（=0.418；<0.01）。
在热环境中进行 60 分钟的低至中等强度运动时，戴口罩不会显著影响 T 或 HR。尽管口罩的使用可能会由于口罩微环境的变化而导致整体呼吸不适，但口罩的使用本身并不会增加全身热应激。
在热环境中，对于身体活跃且健康的个体，在低至中等运动强度下，使用口罩进行运动是可行且安全的。
