Peripheral oxygen saturation is not influenced by the use of face masks in exercise

Abstract

In many cities worldwide the use of face masks in public spaces became mandatory to prevent dissemination of COVID-19. The closure of public parks, gymnasiums and other areas designed for the practice of physical exercise may contribute do inactivity. Objective: The aim of this experience report was to evaluate peripheral oxygen saturation with the use of different face masks at rest and at outdoor exercise. Methods: A single healthy female subject (41 years old, body mass index 18.5 kg/m2), experienced in outdoor jogging, was subjected to running sessions with 4 different types of face masks (surgical, double cloth, triple cloth and N95) and without mask, in 5 non-consecutive days. Sessions lasted 50 minutes, where 5,8km were covered at an average speed of 7km/h. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2, %) and heart rate (HR, bpm) were registered at rest, at every 5 minutes of exercise and after 5 minutes of recovery. Results: Data revealed that no desaturation occurred at any moment with any mask, even at high intensity. There were no differences in mean SpO2 or HR with either type of face mask during exercise when compared to the use of no mask. Conclusion: Setting aside the discomfort of training with face masks and the possible interference of this in performance, face masks seem not to prevent adequate gas exchange during exercise in healthy subjects.