Using Face Masks During Vigorous Exercise Safe For Healthy People: Study

Face masks are now an essential part of life. Studies suggested that face mask is effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. A new study has now said that wearing a face mask during exercise is safe. It has no adverse impact on breathing activity and overall health. Researchers during the study found that covering the face with a mask while vigorous exercise can reduce the transmission of the virus. It is safe for healthy people to cover their faces when they visit an indoor gym. Researchers conducted testing on breathing and heart activity in a small group of healthy people. All the participants wore a face mask during an exercise bike while they didn’t during another round.

The study was conducted by a team from Centro Cardiologico Monzino and the University of Milan. Researchers found some differences in measurement levels of breathing. But results didn’t indicate any major threat or risk to their health. The study said that the main cause of Covid-19 transmission is through droplets in the breath. When someone exercises vigorously, he or she breathes harder. This causes respiratory droplets to move outward more frequently and circulate in the environment. This is increased in an indoor environment. This results in the rise of risk for virus transmission. Researchers suggested that wearing a mask during exercise may reduce the circulation of droplets and thus the infection.

Researchers selected a group of healthy people with an average age of 40. Participants undertook three rounds of tests. During the first round, they didn’t wear a face mask. For the second round, they wore a single-use mask or surgical mask. For the third round, participants were asked to cover their faces using an FFP2 mask. Participants then used an exercise bike. Researchers measured participants’ heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygen level in blood. The findings suggest that face masks have little impact on the levels. It added that an average reduction of 10 percent was recorded in their efficiency during exercise with a face mask. Participants experienced slightly harder during inhaling and exhaling air with a mask. The findings suggest that the surgical mask offers better protection.