COVID-19 and mask in sports

Abstract

Introduction Due to the mandatory use of a mask, and the authorization to do outdoor sports in Catalonia, we aimed to assess the physiological impact of the hypercapnia hypoxia generated by the masks during aerobic sports practice. Methods Eight subjects (2 women, 6 men) were assessed at baseline with and without a mask, and immediately after a 21-flex test performed following the Ruffier protocol with a mask. Measures of HR (heart rate), concentration of O2 and CO2 inside the mask and SatO2 were assessed. The test was carried out in ambient air in squares in the city of Barcelona. Results A decrease in O2 was recorded, and when comparing the, baseline 20.9%, baseline mask 18.3%, post-exercise 17.8% (p<0.001). An increase in CO2 in the three preconditions (464, 14162, 17000ppm; p<0.001). Basal saturation O2 was 97.6±1.5% and post exercise 92.1±4.12% (p 0.02). Conclusions The use of masks in athletes causes hypoxic and hypercapnic breathing as evidenced by increased effort during exercise. The use of masks during a short exercise with an intensity around 6–8 METS, decreases O2 by 3.7% and increases the CO2 concentration by 20%.