Investigating effects of FFP2 wearing during physical activity on gas exchange, metabolism and affective state using a randomized controlled trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating effects of FFP2 wearing during physical activity on gas exchange, metabolism and affective state using a randomized controlled trial

AU - Engeroff, Tobias

AU - Heinsel, Katrin

AU - Niederer, Daniel

AU - Nienhaus, Albert

AU - Groneberg, David A

AU - Vogt, Lutz

N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/3/15

Y1 - 2024/3/15

N2 - Concerns are repeatedly raised about possible adverse respiratory effects of wearing filtering face pieces (FFP) during physical activity. This study compared the impact of FFP type 2 (NF95) on pulmonary function, blood gas values, metabolism and discomfort during light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. Healthy adults (n = 13; 6 females, 7 males; mean 31.3, SD 5.5 years) participated in this randomized two-armed (Ergometer cycling with a FFP type 2 vs. no mask) crossover trial. Baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing and two interventions (masked and unmasked ergometer cycling 40%, 50% and 70% VO2max, 10 min each) were separated by 48 h washout periods. Spiroergometric data (End tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure PetCO2; breathing frequency; inspiration time), blood gas analysis outcomes (capillary carbon dioxide partial pressure, pCO2) and subjective response (Breathing effort and perceived exertion) were contrasted between conditions using ANOVAs. All participants completed the crossover trial, seven started with the FFP2 condition (No adverse events or side effects). FFP2 decreased breathing frequency, prolonged inspiration time, increased perceived breathing effort and PetCO2 (p < .05). Blood pCO2 in millimetres mercury increased during exercise with 50%VO2max (mean 36.67, SD 3.19 vs. mean 38.46, SD 2.57; p < .05) and 70%VO2max (35.04, 2.84 vs. 38.17, 3.43; p < .05) but not during exercise with 40%VO2max (36.55, 2.73 vs. 38.70). Perceived exertion was not affected (p > 0.05) by mask wearing. Conclusion: Mask-induced breathing resistance decreased respiratory performance and limited pulmonary gas exchange. While FFP2 affected subjective breathing effort per se, invasive diagnostics showed that statistically significant metabolic effects are induced from moderate intensity upwards. Trial registration: DRKS-ID: DRKS00030181, Date of registration: 05/09/2022 (German Register for Clinical Trials).

AB - Concerns are repeatedly raised about possible adverse respiratory effects of wearing filtering face pieces (FFP) during physical activity. This study compared the impact of FFP type 2 (NF95) on pulmonary function, blood gas values, metabolism and discomfort during light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. Healthy adults (n = 13; 6 females, 7 males; mean 31.3, SD 5.5 years) participated in this randomized two-armed (Ergometer cycling with a FFP type 2 vs. no mask) crossover trial. Baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing and two interventions (masked and unmasked ergometer cycling 40%, 50% and 70% VO2max, 10 min each) were separated by 48 h washout periods. Spiroergometric data (End tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure PetCO2; breathing frequency; inspiration time), blood gas analysis outcomes (capillary carbon dioxide partial pressure, pCO2) and subjective response (Breathing effort and perceived exertion) were contrasted between conditions using ANOVAs. All participants completed the crossover trial, seven started with the FFP2 condition (No adverse events or side effects). FFP2 decreased breathing frequency, prolonged inspiration time, increased perceived breathing effort and PetCO2 (p < .05). Blood pCO2 in millimetres mercury increased during exercise with 50%VO2max (mean 36.67, SD 3.19 vs. mean 38.46, SD 2.57; p < .05) and 70%VO2max (35.04, 2.84 vs. 38.17, 3.43; p < .05) but not during exercise with 40%VO2max (36.55, 2.73 vs. 38.70). Perceived exertion was not affected (p > 0.05) by mask wearing. Conclusion: Mask-induced breathing resistance decreased respiratory performance and limited pulmonary gas exchange. While FFP2 affected subjective breathing effort per se, invasive diagnostics showed that statistically significant metabolic effects are induced from moderate intensity upwards. Trial registration: DRKS-ID: DRKS00030181, Date of registration: 05/09/2022 (German Register for Clinical Trials).

KW - Male

KW - Adult

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Carbon Dioxide

KW - Exercise/physiology

KW - Respiration

KW - Lung

KW - Oxygen Consumption

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-024-56560-x

DO - 10.1038/s41598-024-56560-x

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38491110

VL - 14

SP - 6278

JO - SCI REP-UK

JF - SCI REP-UK

SN - 2045-2322

IS - 1

ER -