Exercise Capacity and Perceived Exertion on Treadmill Stress Test Performed While Wearing vs Without a Surgical Mask: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The graded exercise treadmill stress test (GXT) is among the most frequently performed tests in cardiology. The COVID-19 pandemic led many healthcare facilities to require patients to wear a mask during the test. This study evaluated the effect of wearing a surgical face mask on exercise capacity and perceived exertion.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized crossover trial, 35 healthy adults performed a GXT using the Bruce protocol while wearing a surgical mask, and without a mask. The primary outcome was exercise capacity in metabolic equivalents (MET), and the secondary outcome was exercise perception on the modified Borg scale (from 0 to 10). Effort duration, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure were also analyzed.

Results

Exercise capacit

SUBMITTER: Dube F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9473141 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature