Face masks while exercising trial (MERIT): a cross-over randomised controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Physical exertion is a high-risk activity for aerosol emission of respiratory pathogens. We aimed to determine the safety and tolerability of healthy young adults wearing different types of face mask during moderate-to-high intensity exercise.

Design

Cross-over randomised controlled study, completed between June 2021 and January 2022.

Participants

Volunteers aged 18-35 years, who exercised regularly and had no significant pre-existing health conditions.

Interventions

Comparison of wearing a surgical, cloth and filtering face piece (FFP3) mask to no mask during 4×15 min bouts of exercise. Exercise was running outdoors or indoor rowing at moderate-to-high intensity, with consistency of distance travelled between bouts confirmed using a smartphone appli

SUBMITTER: Jones N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9827243 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature