Face masks are important for prevention of transmission and contracting viruses such as COVID-19. Gymnasiums have been identified as being susceptible to virus transmission; therefore, wearing face masks during exercise is important during pandemics. This study will evaluate performance and physiological stress during high-intensity exercise while wearing a face mask during Crossfit exercise training. Twenty-four men and women will be randomly assigned to perform exercise during Crossfit exercise while wearing or not wearing a surgical face mask in a cross-over study. Two types of exercise sessions will be assessed: A high intensity interval session and a continuous exercise session. There will therefore be four exercise sessions evaluated in our randomized cross-over design: 1) high intensity exercise while wearing a face mask; 2) high intensity exercise with no face mask; 3) continuous exercise while wearing a face mask; 4) continuous exercise with no face mask. Outcome variables to be assessed include exercise performance during the sessions (total repetitions for pull-ups, push-ups, and squats during continuous exercise and total repetitions for box jumps during high-intensity exercise). Heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and dyspnea will also be assessed throughout the exercise sessions.
Face masks are important for prevention of transmission and contracting viruses such as COVID-19. Gymnasiums have been identified as being susceptible to virus transmission; therefore, wearing face masks during exercise is important during pandemics. This study will evaluate performance and physiological stress during high-intensity exercise while wearing a face mask during Crossfit exercise training.