Prolonged facemask use in the heat worsens dyspnea without compromising motor-cognitive performance
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Prolonged facemask use in the heat worsens dyspnea without compromising motor-cognitive performance. / Morris, Nathan Bradley; Piil, Jacob Feder; Christiansen, Lasse; Flouris, Andreas D; Nybo, Lars.
I: Temperature, Bind 8, Nr. 2, 2021, s. 160-165.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Prolonged facemask use in the heat worsens dyspnea without compromising motor-cognitive performance
AU - Morris, Nathan Bradley
AU - Piil, Jacob Feder
AU - Christiansen, Lasse
AU - Flouris, Andreas D
AU - Nybo, Lars
N1 - CURIS 2021 NEXS 161
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Background: Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO endorses facemask use to limit aerosol-spreading of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, concerns have been raised regarding facemask-associated dyspnea, thermal distress and self-reported impairment of cognition. Accordingly, we tested how facemask-use affects motor-cognitive performances of relevance for occupational safety. We hypothesized that mask use would affect cognitively dominated performances and thermal discomfort, but not alter whole-body thermal balance. Methods: Eight participants completed a facemask and a barefaced (control) trial, in a counterbalanced order, in 40°C and 20% humidity conditions. Motor-cognitive performance, physiological (rectal, mean skin and local facial temperatures) and perceptual (thermal comfort and dyspnea) measures were assessed at baseline and following 45 min of light work (100 W). Results: Perceived dyspnea was aggravated with prolonged facemask use (p = 0.04), resulting in 36% greater breathlessness compared to control. However, no other differences were observed in motor-cognitive performance, physiological strain, or thermal discomfort. Conclusions: Contradicting negative self-reported impacts of facemask-use, only dyspnea was aggravated in the present study, thereby reinforcing global recommendations of mask use, even in hot environments. (Funded by: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the grant agreement No 668786).
AB - Background: Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO endorses facemask use to limit aerosol-spreading of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, concerns have been raised regarding facemask-associated dyspnea, thermal distress and self-reported impairment of cognition. Accordingly, we tested how facemask-use affects motor-cognitive performances of relevance for occupational safety. We hypothesized that mask use would affect cognitively dominated performances and thermal discomfort, but not alter whole-body thermal balance. Methods: Eight participants completed a facemask and a barefaced (control) trial, in a counterbalanced order, in 40°C and 20% humidity conditions. Motor-cognitive performance, physiological (rectal, mean skin and local facial temperatures) and perceptual (thermal comfort and dyspnea) measures were assessed at baseline and following 45 min of light work (100 W). Results: Perceived dyspnea was aggravated with prolonged facemask use (p = 0.04), resulting in 36% greater breathlessness compared to control. However, no other differences were observed in motor-cognitive performance, physiological strain, or thermal discomfort. Conclusions: Contradicting negative self-reported impacts of facemask-use, only dyspnea was aggravated in the present study, thereby reinforcing global recommendations of mask use, even in hot environments. (Funded by: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the grant agreement No 668786).
KW - Coronavirus
KW - COVID-19
KW - Occupational heat stress
KW - Occupational physiology
KW - Personal protective equipment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092348226&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/23328940.2020.1826840
DO - 10.1080/23328940.2020.1826840
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33997114
AN - SCOPUS:85092348226
VL - 8
SP - 160
EP - 165
JO - Temperature
JF - Temperature
SN - 2332-8940
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 250170073