Effects of Facemask on Cardiorespiratory Performance
Condition: Facemask Impact on Cardiorespiratory Performance
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of the study is to explore whether using a surgical facemask impacts performance
      in response exercise below vs. above the ventilatory threshold (VT). The investigatores also
      aim to explore the impact of sexual dimorphism in the physiological response to exercise
      performed within these specific intensities. Finally, the onvestigators intend to examine
      whether the effects of wearing a facemask affect physiological recovery at cessation of
      exercise
    

Detailed description: 
      Tests will be carried out during the afternoon period (between 13.00 and 16.00 h), in a
      laboratory with an environmental temperature between 22 and 24 ºC and a relative humidity
      between 44 and 56%.

      Each participant will be tested on 3 non-consecutive days. On the first day, a Graded
      Exercise Testin (GXT) will be performed, to measure VO2max and to enable the
      individualization of intensities according to the VT of each participant. (Silva et al.,
      2011). Then, in a randomized (computer generated algorithm) counterbalanced manner, all
      participants performed resting and standardized cycle-ergometer submaximal protocols on two
      different conditions (with and without facemask), within a 1-week period. On the first visit,
      body mass measurements will be taken, to the nearest 0.01 kg, on a digital scale (BG 42,
      Breuer GmbH, Söflinger, Germany) with the participants wearing light-weight clothes and no
      shoes. Measurements of standing height will be limited to the first visit and taken to the
      nearest 0.5 cm using a stadiometer. Body Mass index (BMI) will be calculated by dividing the
      participants' mass in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. Then, after a brief
      warm-up period, each participant will perform a maximal cycle-ergometer test consisting of a
      ramp protocol to volitional exhaustion.

      One of our purposes is to determine the impact of exercising with a facemask on physiological
      recovery. For this reason, measurements, within each submaximal testing session (with and
      without a facemask), will be taken using a standardized timeline designed to allow measuring
      recovery postsubmaximal exercise and compare it with a resting baseline time point.
      Specifically, testing will begin with a 10-min resting period in the seated position
      (baseline). Subsequently, participants will exercise either without (control) or with
      (experimental) a surgical facemask at an intensity below the VT and recover for another 10
      min. Then, each participant will exercise at an intensity above the VT until volitional
      exhaustion and this will be followed by 10 min of recovery.
    

Intervention name(s): Protocol with Mask
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Look at differences in group with facemask and no mask
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science