Effects of Facemask on Cardiorespiratory Performance

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Effects of Exercising With a Facemask on Cardiorespiratory Performance at Intensities Below and Above the Ventilatory Threshold

Conditions
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Facemask Impact on Cardiorespiratory Performance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Protocol with Mask


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy 18 to 30 years old adults Exclusion Criteria: Potential participants, with body mass index (BMI) > 24.9 kg.m2 will be excluded. Additional exclusionary criteria will include active smoking status, known metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders including asthma; and any orthopedic issues that would limit exercise performance.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: With Mask<br> | Other: Protocol with Mask<br>* Look at differences in group with facemask and no mask<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Differences in VO2max | Differences between the two groups in the vo2max and | 1 week | 
| Differences in Heart Rate | Differences between the two groups in the Heart Rate | 1 week |