Paper Title
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SUBJECTIVE RESPONSES WHILE WEARING FACEMASKS DURING EXERCISE

Abstract
Abstract - The recent pandemic prompted the use of facemasks to help reduce the spread of the virus in public places. Consequently, exercise facilities began to expect thatpatrons wear facemasks during exercise. However, the physiological and subjective response of wearing a facemask during exercise is relatively unknown.PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare facemasks usage on selected physiological and subjective variables during exercise. METHODS: Healthy males (n =8) and females (n=7) completed Bruce protocol maximal graded exercise treadmill tests (GET)48 hrs apart whilerandomly assigned to (1) a surgical facemask, (2) a cloth face mask, and (3) no mask. Data collection included heart rate (HR), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2), temperature, rating of dyspnea (DYS) andperceived rate of exertionwas measured (RPE). RESULTS:No significant (p>0.05) differences among the conditions at rest or at volitional fatigue at the end of the GETs were found for HR, SpO2 , or temperature. However, significant differences (p< 0.05) were observed in DYSamong no mask and both surgical and cloth conditions at rest and at the end of the GET. At the end of the GET, the no mask condition had a significantly lowerRPE compared to the cloth mask condition (13.22 vs. 14.60) and between the surgical mask and the cloth mask (13.72 vs. 14.60). CONCLUSION: Wearing either a surgical or cloth face mask is safe during exercise in healthy adults and has no effect on HR, SpO2, or body temperature. However, facemaskssignificantly influences subjective ratings of respiratory resistance(DYS) contributing to greater RPE. While the results of wearing facemasks during exercise may serve as demotivation to sustain the activity or to reduce frequency of the exercise activity, the researchers should inform the participant that these are expected perceptions, but have little to do with performance. Keywords - Facemask, Exercise, Performance, Perception