Effect of Wearing Surgical Face Masks During Exercise: Does Intensity Matter?

The effects of wearing face masks on the perception and mood of male healthy male adults during treadmill running: A pilot study

In the past few years, the face mask has been recommended for the prevention of exposing others to COVID-19. Wearing a face mask may have the potential to increase dyspnea and discomfort during exercise; however, controversy exists on whether wearing face masks during exercise affects exercise performance, perception, and mood in runners. We investigated the physiological and perceptual responses of healthy male adults who had experienced long-distance running while exercising at different intensities. Nine healthy young adults who were long-distance runners wearing surgical face mask conducted an incremental treadmill protocol. The protocol was three 6-min stages (20%, 40%, and 60% of maximal heart rate, respectively). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the feeling scale (FS) were measured. RPE was higher in mask condition than in unmask condition (No mask vs. Face mask, light; 8.22 vs. 8.78, p = 0.615, middle; 10.00 vs. 10.78, p = 0.345, high; 12.33 vs. 13.67, p = 0.044.), while FS was not different between conditions. The present study shows that wearing a mask may increase rating of perceived exertion and discomfort when the exercise intensity exceeds a certain threshold in healthy male adults who have experienced long-distance running.

Effects of no mask, a surgical mask and a fabric buff on peripheral oxygenation saturation during moderate intensity exercise: a randomised cross-over study

Background

Mask-wearing caused significant reductions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. We aimed to determine whether face mask-wearing during exercise caused reductions in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and whether it affected secondary physiological measures [end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), expired breath temperature (EBT)]. Subjective measurements included ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), ratings of perceived breathlessness (RPB), and symptomology.

Methods

A randomised cross-over trial examined no mask (NM), surgical mask (SM) and a buff mask (BM). Thirty participants (30-45 years) cycled at 60% power output for 30 min in three exercise sessions, 24 h apart, within 6 days. Each session recorded all measures at resting baseline (T0), 9 min (T1), 18 min (T2), and 27 min (T3). Dependent statistical tests determined significant differences between masks and time-points.

Results

SpO2 decreased for SM and BM between T0 compared to T1, T2 and T3 (all P<0.005). BM caused significant reductions at T1 and T2 compared to NM (P<0.001 and P=0.018). Significant changes in EtCO2 and EBT occurred throughout exercise and between exercise stages for all mask conditions (P<0.001). As expected for moderate intensity exercise, RR and HR were significantly higher during exercise compared to T0 (P<0.001). RPB significantly increased for each condition at each time point (P<0.001). RPE was not significant between mask conditions at any exercise stage.

Conclusions

SM and BM caused a mild but sustained reduction in SpO2 at commencement of exercise, which did not worsen throughout short (<30 min) moderate intensity exercise. Level of perception was similar, suggesting healthy people can wear masks during moderate exercise and activities of daily living.

Sports despite masks: no negative effects of FFP2 face masks on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in children

Face masks were recognized as one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in adults. These benefits were extended to children and adolescents. However, the fear of negative consequences from wearing a face mask during physical exercise led to cancellations of physical education lessons. This further decreased the amount of physical activity available to children and adolescents during the pandemic. However, there is little published data on the potential adverse effects of wearing the most effective and partially mandatory FFP2/N95 face masks during PE or physical activity (PA) in this age. Even though the pandemic has been declared as passed by the WHO, the rise of a new pandemic and thus the use of face masks for limiting its spread is inevitable, so we need to be better prepared for alternative options to lockdown and limitation of PA in such a scenario. Twenty healthy children aged 8-10 years performed two identical cardiopulmonary exercise tests as an incremental step test on a treadmill within an interval of 2 weeks, one time without wearing a protective mask and one time wearing an FFP2 mask. The cardiopulmonary exercise parameter and especially the end-expiratory gas exchange for oxygen and carbon dioxide (petO2 and petCO2) were documented for each step, at rest and 1 min after reaching physical exhaustion. Twelve boys (mean age 8.5 ± 1.4 years) and 8 girls (mean age 8.8 ± 1.4 years) showed no adverse events until maximal exertion. The mean parameters measured at peak exercise did not differ significantly between both examinations (mean peak VO2 = 42.7 ± 9.5 vs 47.8 ± 12.9 ml/min/kg, p = 0.097, mean O2pulse 7.84 ± 1.9 ml/min vs. 6.89 ± 1.8, p = 0.064, mean VE/VCO2slope 33.4 ± 5.9 vs. 34.0 ± 5.3, p = 0.689). The only significant difference was the respiratory exchange rate (RER, 1.01 ± 0.08 vs 0.95 ± 0.08, p = 0.004). The measured respiratory gases (end-tidal O2 and CO2) decreased and respectively increased significantly in almost every step when wearing an FFP2 mask. However, these levels were well below hypercapnia and above hypoxia.

CONCLUSION

 In this study, no significant differences in the cardiorespiratory function at peak exercise could be discerned when wearing an FFP2/N95 face mask. While the end-tidal values for CO2 increased significantly and the end-tidal values for O2 decreased significantly, these values did never reach levels of hypercapnia or hypoxia. Furthermore, the children terminated the exercise at a lower RER and heart rate (HR) suggesting a subconscious awareness of the higher strain. Since the detrimental effects of limiting sports during the pandemic are well documented, stopping PE lessons altogether because of the minor physiological effects of wearing these masks instead of simply stopping pushing children to perform at their best seems premature and should be reconsidered in the future.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Wearing a face mask has an influence on psychological, social, and physiological functions in adults. • Because of the observed effects of wearing face masks in adults, physical activity in children was limited during the pandemic.

WHAT IS NEW

• Wearing an FFP2/N95 mask during physical activity did not lead to hypercapnia or hypoxia in children in this study. • Even though end-tidal CO2 values were significantly higher and end-tidal O2 values significantly lower when wearing an FFP2/N95 face mask, no pathological values were reached.

Assessment of mask use on oxygen saturation in adults and children with asthma

Background: Mask use is recommended to reduce the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The safety of mask use in adults and children with asthma is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of mask use on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) in those with and those without asthma. Methods: A two-stage cross-sectional study was performed. In the first stage, the SpO₂ concentration in adults and children with and without asthma was measured with the adults and children at rest during mask use. In the second stage, children years 6-17 performed a 6-minute walk test while wearing masks. The SpO₂ concentration was measured before the exercise and at 3 and 6 minutes into exercise. Subjective dyspnea was evaluated by using the Pediatric Dyspnea Scale (PDS). Results: In the first stage, SpO₂ levels in 393 subjects were analyzed. In the second stage, 50 pediatric subjects were included, 25 with and 25 without asthma. There was no difference in SpO₂ levels between those with and those without asthma in adults and children wearing masks while at rest, with median SpO₂ 98% in both groups. There was no difference in oxygen saturation or reported level of dyspnea between the children with asthma and children without asthma performing the 6-minute walk test while wearing masks. Median SpO₂ levels were at or near 99% in the asthma and non-asthma groups at all time points. Median PDS scores were similar between the asthma and non-asthma groups. Conclusion: Mask use did not affect SpO₂ in adults and children at rest or in children performing low-to-moderate intensity exercise. These findings were consistent in those with and without asthma.

Changes in Reaction Time, Balance and Neuroplasticity after Exercise with a Face Mask in Male Adults with Mild COVID-19 Symptoms

This study compared physiological, perceptual and neuroprotective hormone and metabolite responses and changes in coordination as an effect of aerobic exercise with and without a face mask in people with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Forty men took part in this study. Half declared mild symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 6 months before the study (Declared) and the other half did not (Non-declared). In a random order, with a 7-day interval, they performed a 30-min walk on a treadmill at a speed of 6 km/h wearing a surgical face mask (Masked) and without it (Unmasked). The heart rate, heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, lactate concentration and rate of perceived exertion were recorded. The reaction time and balance were measured before and after the exercise. The concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, testosterone, cortisol, epinephrine and antibodies in the blood serum were determined. Physiological and perceptual responses, reaction times, and balance did not differ between the tested conditions. Three-way RM-ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni analysis revealed lower post-exercise cortisol concentrations in the Masked and Unmasked conditions in both groups (p ≤ 0.001). Asymptomatic infection with this virus is prevalent, and mild COVID-19 causes similar responses to aerobic exercise with a surgical face mask and does not lead to impaired coordination.

Mental, physical, and phychophysiological responses to FFP2/N95 face mask during HIIT in active women

Training systems based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) have experienced great influence in recent years within the context of exercise and sport. This study aims to provide insight on whether the immediate outcomes (e.g., central and peripheral acute responses) may be intensified or attenuated when a HIIT protocol is performed using a FFP2/N95 face mask in active healthy adult women. In other words, it strives to provide new findings relative to the use of face masks as a potential performance enhancing tool. In the current study, the same training session was carried out on two occasions under different conditions (i.e., with FFP2/N95 and without FFP2/N95) in a cross-over experimental design. The following study variables were assessed before and after the HIIT in both sessions: Lactate, cortisol, alpha-amylase, selective attention, countermovement jump (CMJ), and power output. Additionally, central and peripheral Rates of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were assessed before and during the HIIT. This study makes novel contributions to prior research, showing that the use of FFP2/N95 face mask (vs. no mask) yielded higher alpha-amylase, selective attention, and peripheral RPE scores. No significant differences were found for lactate, cortisol, CMJ, and power output. Interestingly, central RPE scores were significantly lower under FFP2/N95 face mask (vs. no mask) condition. The main suggestion in light of these results is that researchers and practitioners should consider potential peripheral and central responses to training stimuli when using FFP2/N95 face masks.

The COVID-19 vaccine did not affect the basal immune response and menstruation in female athletes

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted the regular training and competition program of athletes. Vaccines against COVID-19 are known to be beneficial for the disease; however, the unknown side effects of vaccines and postvaccination reactions have made some athletes hesitant to get vaccinated. We investigated the changes in inflammatory responses and menstrual cycles of female athletes before and after vaccination. Twenty female athletes were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected from each subject before the first COVID-19 vaccination and after the first and second vaccinations. Laboratory data, including white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts, and inflammatory markers, including NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet lymphocyte ratio), RPR (red cell distribution width to platelet ratio), SII (systemic immune-inflammation index), and NeuPla (neutrophil-platelet ratio), were analyzed statistically. The menstrual changes before and after vaccination and the side effects were collected by questionnaires. No significant changes in the laboratory data were found after the first and second shots when compared to those at prevaccination: white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, NLR, PLR, SII, RPR, and NeuPla (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant changes in the menstruation cycle or days of the menstrual period (p > 0.05). All side effects after vaccination were mild and subsided in 2 days. The blood cell counts, inflammatory markers, and menstruation of female athletes were not affected by COVID-19 vaccines.

The physiological, perceptual, and thermoregulatory responses to facemask use during exercise

The use of masks in public settings and when around people has been recommended to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by major public health agencies. Several different types of masks classified as either medical- or non-medical grade are commonly used among the public. However, concerns with difficulty breathing, re-breathing exhaled carbon dioxide, a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation, and a decrease in exercise performance have been raised regarding the use of mask during exercise. We review the current knowledge related to the effect of different masks during exercise on cardiorespiratory, metabolic, thermoregulatory, and perceptual responses. As such, the current literature seems to suggest that there are minimal changes to cardiovascular, metabolic, and no changes to thermoregulatory parameters with facemask use. However, differences in ventilatory parameters have been reported with submaximal and maximal intensity exercise to volitional fatigue. Literature on perceptual responses to exercise indicate an impact on ratings of perceived exertion, dyspnea, and overall discomfort dependent on mask use as well as exercise intensity. In conclusion, data from the current literature suggests a minimal impact on physiological, perceptual, and thermoregulatory responses dependent on the type of mask used during exercise.

Effects of Wearing a Mask During Exercise on Physiological and Psychological Outcomes in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Wearing face masks in public is an effective strategy for preventing the spread of viruses; however, it may negatively affect exercise responses. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the effects of wearing different types of face masks during exercise on various physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy individuals.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using relevant electronic databases, including Medline, PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on April 05, 2022. Studies examining the effect of mask wearing (surgical mask, cloth mask, and FFP2/N95 respirator) during exercise on various physiological and psychological parameters in apparently healthy individuals were included. For meta-analysis, a random effects model was used. Mean difference (MD) or standardized MD (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to analyze the total effect and the effect in subgroups classified based on face mask and exercise types. The quality of included studies was examined using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies with 1264 participants (708 men) were included in the systematic review. Face masks had significant effects on gas exchange when worn during exercise; this included differences in oxygen uptake (SMD - 0.66, 95% CI - 0.87 to - 0.45), end-tidal partial pressure of oxygen (MD - 3.79 mmHg, 95% CI - 5.46 to - 2.12), carbon dioxide production (SMD - 0.77, 95% CI - 1.15 to - 0.39), and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (MD 2.93 mmHg, 95% CI 2.01-3.86). While oxygen saturation (MD - 0.48%, 95% CI - 0.71 to - 0.26) decreased slightly, heart rate was not affected. Mask wearing led to higher degrees of rating of perceived exertion, dyspnea, fatigue, and thermal sensation. Moreover, a small effect on exercise performance was observed in individuals wearing FFP2/N95 respirators (SMD - 0.42, 95% CI - 0.76 to - 0.08) and total effect (SMD - 0.23, 95% CI - 0.41 to - 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Wearing face masks during exercise modestly affected both physiological and psychological parameters, including gas exchange, pulmonary function, and subjective discomfort in healthy individuals, although the overall effect on exercise performance appeared to be small. This review provides updated information on optimizing exercise recommendations for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) database (registration number: CRD42021287278).

The effects of cloth face masks on cardiorespiratory responses and VO2 during maximal incremental running protocol among apparently healthy men

We aimed to determine the effects of wearing a cloth face mask on cardiorespiratory response, peak oxygen uptake (Vo₂), respiratory muscle effort, and exercise tolerance during incremental exercise. The study had a randomized crossover design: 11 apparently healthy young men performed the Bruce protocol treadmill test in two conditions, wearing a cloth face mask (CFM) and without CFM (CON), in random order. Minute ventilation and oxygen uptake were measured using a mass spectrometry metabolic analyzer; cardiac output (CO) was measured using an impedance CO monitor; and mouth pressure (P_m) was measured and calculated as an integral P_m to assess respiratory muscle effort. Maximal minute ventilation was 13.4 ± 10.7% lower in the CFM condition than in the CON condition (P < 0.001). The peak Vo₂ (52.4 ± 5.6 and 55.0 ± 5.1 mL/kg/min in CFM and CON, respectively) and CO were not significantly different between the two conditions. However, the integral value of P_m was significantly higher (P = 0.02), and the running time to exhaustion was 2.6 ± 3.2% lower (P = 0.02) in the CFM condition than in the CON condition. Our results suggest that wearing a cloth face mask increased respiratory muscle effort and decreased ventilatory volume in healthy young men; however, Vo₂ remained unchanged. Exercise tolerance also decreased slightly.

An Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariant BA.2.76 in an Outdoor Park - Chongqing Municipality, China, August 2022

What is already known about this topic?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariant has a stronger transmission capacity and faster transmission speed than the previous strain.

What is added by this report?

The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.76 who caused local transmission was reported in Chongqing Municipality on August 16, 2022. For 35 minutes, the Patient Zero jogged along a lake at a local park without wearing a mask. Among the 2,836 people potentially exposed at the time, 39 tested positive. Overall, 38 out of 39 cases did not wear a mask on the morning of August 16. All 39 cases lacked any previous exposure to the variant before testing positive on their nucleic acid test.

What are the implications for public health practice?

It is essential to maintain personal wellbeing by ensuring one maintains personal protection and follows regulated guidelines such as maintaining safe distances from others both indoors and outdoors.

Effect of Face Masks on Physiological and Perceptual Responses during 30 Minutes of Self-Paced Exercise in Older Community Dwelling Adults

This study examined the effects of different types of masks (no mask, surgical mask (SM), and N95-mask) on physiological and perceptual responses during 30-min of self-paced cycle ergometer exercise. This study was a prospective randomly assigned experimental design. Outcomes included workload (Watts), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO₂), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and rating of perceived dyspnea (RPD). Volunteers (54-83 years (n = 19)) completed two familiarization sessions and three testing sessions on an air braked cycle ergometer. No significant difference was found for condition x time for any of the dependent variables. RPE, RPD, and PetCO₂ were significantly higher with an N95-mask vs. no mask (NM) ((p = 0.012), (p = 0.002), (p < 0.001)). HR was significantly higher with the SM compared to the NM condition (p = 0.027) (NM 107.18 ± 9.96) (SM 112.34 ± 10.28), but no significant difference was found when comparing the SM to the N95 condition or when comparing the N95condition to the NM condition. Watts increased across time in each condition (p = 0.003). Initially RR increased during the first 3 min of exercise (p < 0.001) with an overall gradual increase noted across time regardless of mask condition (p < 0.001). SpO₂ significantly decreased across time but remained within normal limits (>95%). No significant difference was found in Watts, RR, or SpO₂ regardless of mask condition. Overall, the N95mask was associated with increased RPE, RPD, and PetCO₂ levels. This suggests trapping of CO₂ inside the mask leading to increased RPE and RPD.

The Effect of Face Masks on Physiological Data and the Classification of Rehabilitation Walking

Gait analysis and the assessment of rehabilitation exercises are important processes that occur during fitness level monitoring and the treatment of neurological disorders. This paper presents the possibility of using oximetric, heart rate (HR), accelerometric, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) to analyse signals recorded during uphill and downhill walking without and with a face mask to find its influence on physiological functions during selected walking patterns. The experimental dataset includes 86 signal segments acquired under different conditions. The proposed methodology is based on signal analysis in both the time and frequency domains. The results indicate that face mask use has a minimal effect on blood oxygen concentration and heart rate, with the average mean changes of these parameters being less than 2%. The support vector machine, a Bayesian method, the k -nearest neighbour method, and a two-layer neural network showed very good separation abilities and successfully classified different walking patterns only in the case when the effect of face mask wearing was not included in the classification process. Our methodology suggests that artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are efficient methods for the assessment of motion patterns in different motion conditions and that face masks have a negligible effect for short-duration experiments.

Acute Effects of Wearing Different Surgical Face Masks during High-Intensity, Short-Rest Resistance Exercise on Cardiorespiratory and Pulmonary Function and Perceptual Responses in Weightlifters

This study investigated the effect of wearing a typical surgical mask (SM) or a three-dimensional (3D) SM (3DSM) during whole-body, high-intensity, short-rest resistance exercise on cardiorespiratory, respiratory, and perceptual comfort responses in weightlifters. Twenty elite weightlifters (6 women and 14 men; age = 24.1 ± 4.9 years; height: 167.45 ± 7.60 cm; body mass = 76.48 ± 19.86 kg) who participated in this study performed 3 resistance exercise sessions in a randomized order: (1) without a mask (NM), (2) while wearing a typical SM, and (3) while wearing a 3DSM. Resistance exercise consisted of a descending pyramid scheme starting at 10 repetitions, with a decrease of one repetition per set for the back squat, bench press, and deadlift, as fast as possible at 75% of the one-repetition maximum. Cardiorespiratory and pulmonary function and comfort were measured. Across all conditions, effective postexercise hypotension (PEH) was noted in terms of decreased systolic blood pressure (−4.64%), diastolic BP (−5.36%), mean arterial pressure (−5.02%), and ankle–brachial index (−6.84%). However, the heart rate (40.34%) and rate of pressure product (33.60%) increased, and no effects on pulmonary function were observed in the three conditions. The participants reported higher breathing resistance and tightness when wearing a typical SM than when wearing a 3DSM or no mask. Therefore, both wearing and not wearing a face mask during whole-body, high-intensity, short-rest resistance exercise promoted PEH and exerted no detrimental effect on pulmonary function. Coaches, trainers, and athletes should consider wearing a 3DSM during resistance exercise.

Effect of Surgical Mask use on Peak Physical Performance During Exercise Treadmill Testing-A Real World, Crossover Study

Background: Mask wearing is an essential strategy to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Some individuals may wear masks during physical activity to reduce disease transmission. This study aimed to investigate the real-world effect of wearing a surgical face mask on physiological parameters at peak exercise in healthy individuals.

Methods: In this crossover design study, participants underwent maximal treadmill electrocardiogram exercise tests using the Bruce protocol on two separate occasions, once with a standard 3-ply surgical face mask and once without. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, rate pressure product, metabolic equivalents (METS) and total exercise time were measured. Subjective rate of perceived exertion was also assessed using the modified Borg Scale.

Results: 50 adults (mean age = 31.7 ± 6.5 years; 27 males) completed both treadmill tests. Mask wearing resulted in a significant reduction in peak METS by 1.5 units, maximum speed by 0.5 km/h, exercise time by 68.4 s with a significantly lower peak heart rate by 4.4 bpm, and lower percentage of age-predicted maximum heart rate by 2.5% (p < 0.001 for all parameters). During each corresponding stage of the Bruce protocol, the average modified Borg score was found to be significantly higher in subjects exercising with mask after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index (p < 0.03).

Conclusion: In a cohort of healthy individuals, wearing of a surgical face mask during maximal treadmill exercise lead to reduced physical performance and increased rate of perceived exertion. Individuals exercising with surgical masks need to be mindful of these limitations while undergoing physical training in order to differentiate these physiological responses from symptoms of early respiratory illness.

Regulated Monosyllabic Talk Test vs. Counting Talk Test During Incremental Cardiorespiratory Exercise: Determining the Implications of the Utterance Rate on Exercise Intensity Estimation

Purpose

When utilizing breathing for speech, the rate and volume of inhalation, as well as the rate of exhalation during the utterance, seem to be largely governed by the speech-controlling system and its requirements with respect to phrasing, loudness, and articulation. However, since the Talk Test represents a non-standardized form of assessment of exercise intensity estimation, this study aimed to compare the utterance rate and the estimated exercise intensity using a newly introduced time-controlled monosyllabic Talk Test (tMTT) versus a self-paced Counting Talk Test (CTT) across incremental exercise stages and examined their associations with the exercise physiological measures.

Methods

Twenty-four participants, 10 males and 14 females (25 ± 4.0 yr; 160 ± 10 cm; 62 ± 14.5 kg) performed two sessions of submaximal cardiorespiratory exercise at incremental heart rate reserve (HRR) stages ranging from 40 to 85% of HRR: one session was performed with a currently available CTT that was affixed to a wall in front of the participants, and the other session was conducted with a tMTT with a 1-s inter-stimulus interval that was displayed from a tablet. In each session, the participants performed six stages of exercise at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 85% HRR on a treadmill and were also asked to rate their perceived exertion based on Borg's 6 to 20 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) at each exercise stage.

Results

The newly designed tMTT significantly delineated all the six stages of incremental exercise (p ≤ 0.017), while CTT could only delineate exercise stages at 60, 80, and 85% HRR. However, in estimations of exercise intensity, the tMTT demonstrated only moderate associations with HRR and Borg's RPE, similarly to the CTT.

Conclusion

If the purpose of exercise monitoring is to detect the intensity of light, moderate, and vigorous exercise intensity, the tMTT could be more universally applicable. However, due to its larger variability of speech rate across exercise intensities, the time-regulated approach may alter the speech breathing characteristics of the exercising individuals in other ways that should be investigated in future research.

Comparison of Physical Fitness Profiles Obtained before and during COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Independent Large Samples of Children and Adolescents: DAFIS Project

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions might have negatively affected the health-related physical fitness of children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to contrast the body composition and physical fitness data of two independent samples of children and adolescents obtained from an online database (DAFIS project) before (n = 15,287) and during (n = 2101) the first academic year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed higher values for the body mass index (p = 0.002), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and waist to hip and waist to height ratios (p < 0.001) during than before the pandemic, particularly in the case of boys. On the other hand, lower muscular fitness was observed for girls during the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative analysis did not detect relevant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness in children or adolescents (p > 0.05). Our data suggested that pandemic constraints might have affected body composition and muscular fitness of children and adolescents. These results might be of interest for designing specific interventions oriented toward counteracting the negative effects of pandemic restrictions on health-related physical fitness.