RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Influence of different face masks on the subjective impairment at different physical workloads
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 4501
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2022.4501
VO 60
IS suppl 66
A1 V van Kampen
A1 E Marek
A1 B Jettkant
A1 K Sucker
A1 B Kendzia
A1 A Deckert
A1 M Ulbrich
A1 H Berresheim
A1 F Hoffmeyer
A1 S Weidhaas
A1 C Eisenhawer
A1 T Bruening
A1 J Buenger
YR 2022
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/60/suppl_66/4501.abstract
AB 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.FootnotesCite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4501.This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).