Perceived Exertion during Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity While Mask Wearing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 9; p. 5698
• Main Authors: Scheid, Jennifer L, Edwards, Corinne, Seils, Michael, West, Sarah L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 07.05.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Adult; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Data analysis; Exercise; Fitness equipment; Heart rate; Humans; Masks; Pandemics; Perception; Perceptions; Physical activity; Physical Exertion; Physical fitness; Physiology; Pilot Projects; Qualitative analysis; Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Social networks; Ventilation; United States > US; COVID-19; perceived exertion; masks; face covering; pandemic; facemask; physical activity
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095698

There is limited research examining the perception of exertion during exercise while wearing a facemask. The current study examined if mask usage during moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) changed the self-reported perception of exertion. Seventy-two adults (18 years and older) who were physically active before the COVID-19 pandemic completed a questionnaire that assessed exercise habits and perceptions of mask wearing during MVPA. Participants reported their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, on a scale of 1−10) while exercising. Wearing a mask resulted in higher RPE vs. no mask during both vigorous (8.4 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.1; p < 0.001) and moderate PA (6.6 ± 0.2 vs. 5.6 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis revealed mostly negative perceptions of exercising while wearing a mask, including respiratory issues, detriments to cardiovascular endurance, and general discomfort. A total of 40% of participants reported that they stopped exercising in an indoor/public setting because of a mask mandate in their region. Participants reported participating in less vigorous PA (4.7 ± 0.4 vs. 4.0 ± 0.4 h/week; p = 0.046), but not less moderate PA (3.3 ± 0.3 vs. 3.0 ± 0.3 h/week; p = 0.443) pre vs. during the pandemic. Our study suggests that facemask usage during MVPA causes an increase in RPE and may be one reason for a decrease in vigorous PA during the COVID-19 pandemic.