The impacts of surgical mask in young healthy subjects on cardiopulmonary function and muscle performance: a randomized crossover trial

Abstract

Objective To explore the impacts of surgical mask in normal subjects on cardiopulmonary function and muscle performance under different motor load and gender differences. Design Randomized crossover trial. Setting The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, June 16th to December 30th, 2020. Participants Thirty-one college students (age: male 21.27 ± 1.22 years; female 21.31 ± 0.79 years) were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups. Interventions Group 1 first received CPET in the mask-on condition followed by 48 h of washout, and then received CPET in the mask-off condition. Group 2 first received CPET in the mask-off condition followed by 48 h of washout, then received CPET in the mask-on condition. The sEMG data were simultaneously collected. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) from CPET, which was performed on a cycle ergometer—this is the most important parameter associated with an individual’s physical conditioning. The secondary parameters included parameters reflecting exercise tolerance and heart function (oxygen uptake, anaerobic valve, maximum oxygen pulse, heart rate reserve), parameters reflecting ventilation function (respiration reserve, ventilation volume, tidal volume, breathing frequency), parameters reflecting gas exchange (end-tidal oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure, oxygen equivalent, carbon dioxide equivalent, and the relationship between dead space and tidal volume) and parameters reflecting skeletal muscle function [oxygen uptake, anaerobic valve, work efficiency, and EMG parameters including root mean square (RMS)]. Results Comparing the mask-on and mask-off condition, wearing surgical mask had some negative effects on VO2/kg (peak) and ventilation (peak) in both male and female health subjects [VO2/kg (peak): 28.65 ± 3.53 vs 33.22 ± 4.31 (P = 0.001) and 22.54 ± 3.87 vs 26.61 ± 4.03 (P < 0.001) ml/min/kg in male and female respectively; ventilation (peak): 71.59 ± 16.83 vs 82.02 ± 17.01 (P = 0.015) and 42.46 ± 10.09 vs 53.95 ± 10.33 (P < 0.001) liter in male and female respectively], although, based on self-rated scales, there was no difference in subjective feelings when comparing the mask-off and mask-on condition. Wearing surgical masks showed greater lower limb muscle activity just in male subjects [mean RMS of vastus medialis (load): 65.36 ± 15.15 vs 76.46 ± 19.04 μV, P = 0.031]. Moreover, wearing surgical masks produced a greater decrease in △tidal volume (VTpeak) during intensive exercises phase in male subjects than in female [male − 0.80 ± 0.15 vs female − 0.62 ± 0.11 l P = 0.001]. Conclusions Wearing medical/surgical mask showed a negative impact on the ventilation function in young healthy subjects during CPET, especially in high-intensity phase. Moreover, some negative effects were found both in ventilation and lower limb muscle actives in male young subjects during mask-on condition. Future studies should focus on the subjects with cardiopulmonary diseases to explore the effect of wearing mask. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033449).

Lessons from the health policies for children during the pandemic in Japan

“…Koseoglu et al also reported increases in dyspnea, itching, ear pain, and headache induction ( 90 ). Ou et al reported negative impact on the ventilation function of exercise with mask on in young healthy subjects ( 91 ). It is also important point that the weight of the surgical mask increased during the exercise ( 92 ).…”

Another line of defence

“…Studies in healthy volunteers have demonstrated an increase in perceived exertion (work of breathing) during sub-maximal exercise, [12][13][14] likely due to increased resistance to airflow, which at maximal effort impedes numerous physiologic parameters including oxygen consumption and endtidal CO 2 . 15,16 Bronchoscopy can be a physiologically demanding procedure, patients with respiratory disease are at significant risk of greater perturbations in physiology than described in health adults. If barrier masks are to be used in this group, then close monitoring of respiratory status during and after the bronchoscopy is imperative.…”

“…Despite this, an elevation in end‐tidal CO 2 was noted, as was an association with hypoxia in patients with resting low SaO 2 . Studies in healthy volunteers have demonstrated an increase in perceived exertion (work of breathing) during sub‐maximal exercise, 12–14 likely due to increased resistance to airflow, which at maximal effort impedes numerous physiologic parameters including oxygen consumption and end‐tidal CO 2 15,16 . Bronchoscopy can be a physiologically demanding procedure, patients with respiratory disease are at significant risk of greater perturbations in physiology than described in health adults.…”