There is concern that wearing a face mask during COVID will affect oxygen uptake, especially during intense exercise. This study will assess the effect of wearing two different face masks (disposable and cloth) on blood and muscle oxygenation during cycling exercise.
There is concern that wearing a face mask during exercise will reduce oxygen uptake or
increase carbon dioxide re-breathing, which can result in low blood oxygen levels, reduced
oxygen delivery to muscle and reduced exercise capacity. The purpose of the study is to
determine the effect of wearing two different types of commonly-worn face masks (diposable
and cloth) during exercise on blood and muscle oxygenation. Twelve participants who are
experienced with cycling will take part in this randomized cross-over study that will assess
blood oxygenation (i.e. pulse oximetry) and muscle oxygenation (with near infrared
spectroscopy) during a progressive step exercise test to exhaustion. The conditions include
no mask, a disposable mask, and a cloth mask. Outcome variables include exercise duration,
rating of perceived exertion, blood oxygen saturation levels, and oxygenated, deoxygenated,
and total hemoglobin at the quadriceps muscle.
Other: Progressive cycling exercise test to exhaustion
Progressive step cycling exercise test to exhaustion
Inclusion Criteria:
- Experienced with cycling
Exclusion Criteria:
- Contra-indications to exercise as identified by a screening questionnaire (the "Get
Active Questionnaire")
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Philip Chilibeck, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
University of Saskatchewan