CARDIOVASCULAR AND SPIROMETRIC RESPONSES TO DIFFERENT INTENSITIES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH AND WITHOUT BREATHING MASKS IN HEALTHY WOMEN

Background & Aims:

Wearing a mask is necessary to reduce disease transmission, but its effect on cardiorespiratory responses during physical activity of different intensities is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of cardiovascular and spirometry indicators during physical activity to different intensities with and without respirator masks (medical and N95) in healthy women.

Materials & Methods:

In a semi-experimental study, 72 women aged 20 to 45 were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups and 2 control groups (12 people in each group). The experimental groups were exposed to wearing two types of masks (medical and N95) and physical activity with submaximal (60 to 70% MHR) and maximal (80 to 90% MHR) intensities. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVo2), hemoglobin saturation (SPO2), heart rate, blood pressure, FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were evaluated by standard method. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance at the level of P ≤0.05.

The factor of exercise intensity with both masks caused a significant increase in MVo2 (P=0.001), heart rate (P=0.001), systolic blood pressure (P=0.003), FVC (P=0.003), and FEV1/FVC (P=0.009). Additionally, mask modality (medical vs. N95) had no effect on cardiovascular and spirometry variables during both intensities of physical activity.

Wearing a mask does not have a harmful effect on the cardio-respiratory system of healthy women, even during high-intensity physical activity. More studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of the mask on the heart and blood vessels in the elderly and patients.