Effects of FFP2/N95 face mask on low- and high-load resistance exercise performance in recreational weight lifters

The objective of this study was to verify the acute effects of an FFP2/N95 face mask on moderate- and high-load resistance exercise performance in recreational weight lifters. Seventeen recreational weight lifters performed four randomized bouts: high intensity [70% of one maximum repetition (1RM)] and moderate intensity (50% 1RM), both with and without an FFP2/N95 face mask. All sequences of exercises were performed over four sets in the bench press exercise, performed on a Smith machine until movement failure, with two minutes of recovery between sets. A linear position transducer was used to measure the bar velocity, and record the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and maximum propulsive velocity (V-max). The rate of perceived effort (RPE), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded. For the high-intensity condition, MPV (p = 0.021) and V-max (p = 0.004) were significantly lower in the mask condition compared to non-mask in set-1, however, there were no significant differences for moderate intensity or for total volume in either intensity (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between conditions, with lower SpO2 (p = 0.010) and higher RPE (p = 0.008) when wearing the face mask only at the moderate intensity. In conclusion, the FFP2/N95 face mask impacted performance in the high-intensity resistance bench press exercise until movement failure but decreased oxygen saturation and increased rate of perceived effort only in the moderate-intensity exercise in recreational weight lifters. COVID-19 pandemic, has led to several countries adopting the use of masks in public spaces. Mask used during physical exercise it may induce early fatigue. However, despite the results with aerobic exercise, as far as we know, no studies have been carried out on wearing a mask during resistance exercise. This randomized, crossover study verified the acute effect of an FFP2/N95 face mask on moderate- and high-load upper body resistance exercise performance in recreational weight lifters. The FFP2/N95 face mask impacted performance, evaluated with bar velocity, in the high-intensity resistance bench press exercise until movement failure but decreased oxygen saturation and increased rate of perceived effort only in the moderate-intensity exercise.