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Effect of a Taped Filter Mask on Perceived Breathlessness, Heart Rate, Lactate and Oxygen Saturation During a Graded Exercise Test


 Background: Face masks are an effective, non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens. However, it is a challenge to keep masks sealed during exercise, as ventilation can increase from 5-10 L/min at rest to up to 200 L/min so that masks may be blown away from the face. To reduce leakage e.g. during exercise, a face mask was developed that is taped onto the face. The aim of this study was to investigate during a graded cycle ergometry test the effect of a taped mask on the perception of breathlessness, heart rate, lactate, and oxygen saturation when compared to a surgical mask and no mask.Methods: Four trained and healthy males and females each (n=8 in total) performed incremental cycle ergometer tests until voluntary exhaustion under three conditions: (1) No mask/control, (2) surgical mask or (3) taped mask. During these tests, we measured perception of breathlessness, heart rate, the concentration of blood lactate and peripheral oxygen saturation and analysed the resultant data with one or two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. We also used a questionnaire to evaluate mask comfort and analysed the data with paired t-tests. Results: When compared to wearing no mask, a taped face mask significantly reduces the maximal workload in a graded exercise test by 12±6% (p=0.001). Moreover, with a taped face mask, subjects perceive severe breathlessness at 12±9% lower workload (p=0.012) and oxygen saturation at 65% of the maximal workload is 1.5% lower (p=0.018) when compared to wearing no mask. Heart rate and the concentration of lactate were not significantly different at any workload. When compared to wearing a surgical mask, wearing a taped face mask has a significantly better wearing comfort (p=0.038), feels better on the skin (p=0.004), there is a lower sensation of moisture (p=0.026) and wearers perceive that less heat is generated (p=0.021). We found no sex/gender differences for any parameters. Conclusions: A taped mask is well tolerated during light and moderate exercise intensity but reduces maximal exercise capacity.