Influence of different face masks on the subjective impairment at different physical workloads

Abstract

Background: During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, wearing masks became mandatory at many workplaces. Since many workers described wearing a mask as uncomfortable and annoying, especially during physical exertion, the aim of our study was to investigate the subjective impairment caused by masks in different scenarios.

Methods: Forty subjects (20 men, 20 women) between 19 and 65 years were tested on a bicycle ergometer with light, medium and heavy loads while wearing a surgical mask, a community mask, a FFP2 mask and no mask in randomized order. Some of the tests were performed double-blinded. In addition, mask-wearing tests were carried out at the workplace (office, 4 hours). Questionnaires were used to record subjective impairment (e.g. humidity, heat, and difficulties in breathing) before, during and after the tests.

Results: The subjective feeling of heat, humidity and impeded breathing increased significantly with increasing physical exertion for all 3 mask types compared to the situation without a mask, most strongly when wearing the FFP2 mask. Also, in the blinded scenario, participants already felt impaired at rest, i.e. without physical exertion, when wearing a community or FFP2 mask. After the 4-hour workplace measurement, subjective impairment was significantly more pronounced when wearing a mask than without a mask.

Conclusions: Wearing a mask, especially a FFP2 mask, subjectively impedes breathing and creates an unpleasant feeling of heat and humidity under the mask. The subjective impairment caused by wearing a mask increases with higher physical exertion or with longer wearing time.