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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04557605

Effects of a Face Mask on Oxygenation During Exercise

There is concern that wearing a face mask during COVID will affect oxygen uptake, especially during intense exercise. This study will assess the effect of wearing two different face masks (disposable and cloth) on blood and muscle oxygenation during cycling exercise.

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Key information

Conditions

Hypoxemia Hypoxia Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N5B2, Canada

About this study

There is concern that wearing a face mask during exercise will reduce oxygen uptake or increase carbon dioxide re-breathing, which can result in low blood oxygen levels, reduced oxygen delivery to muscle and reduced exercise capacity. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of wearing two different types of commonly-worn face masks (diposable and cloth) during exercise on blood and muscle oxygenation. Twelve participants who are experienced with cycling will take part in this randomized cross-over study that will assess blood oxygenation (i.e. pulse oximetry) and muscle oxygenation (with near infrared spectroscopy) during a progressive step exercise test to exhaustion. The conditions include no mask, a disposable mask, and a cloth mask. Outcome variables include exercise duration, rating of perceived exertion, blood oxygen saturation levels, and oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin at the quadriceps muscle.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Experienced with cycling

Exclusion criteria

  • Contra-indications to exercise as identified by a screening questionnaire (the "Get Active Questionnaire")

Treatment and study plan

Progressive cycling exercise test to exhaustion

Other

Progressive step cycling exercise test to exhaustion

Primary outcomes

  1. Time to exhaustion during exercise

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    time to exhaustion

  2. Change from baseline in peak power output

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    Peak power output in Watts, determined on a cycle ergometer

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in blood oxygen saturation

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    Blood oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry

  2. Change from baseline in quadriceps tissue oxygenation index

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    Tissue oxygenation index (oxygenated hemoglobin/total hemoglobin) as measured by near infra-red spectroscopy

  3. Change from baseline in rating of perceived exertion

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    Rating of perceived exertion on a scale of 1-10 (Modified Borg Scale), a higher score indicates a greater perceived exertion

  4. Change from baseline in heart rate

    Time frame: Up to 20 minutes

    Heart rate (beats per minute)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Saskatchewan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Wearing a Face Mask During COVID-19 on Blood and Muscle Oxygenation While Performing Exercise

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Sep 21, 2020
Registry last updated
Oct 20, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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