Impact of Different Face Masks on Maximal and Submaximal Performance Testing During COVID-19

Participants fulfilling inclusion exclusion criteria will be asked to sign informed consent. Sealed envelope randomization method would determine order of testing (Group A; No mask, Group B; Surgical mask, Group C; N95 mask). For 6MWT, participants will be asked to walk on 30-meter unimpeded walkway as much as possible \& distance at end is recorded along with number of stops during test. For Bruce Protocol, participants will follow standard stage succession with an abrupt increase in speed \& inclination by end of each 3-minute cycle. The participants will be advised to perform test till exhaustion and level achieved will be recorded. The analyzed data will then be used to calculate VO2max and MET scores. Heart rate, SPO2, respiratory rate will be recorded at baseline, after 2 minutes and at test completion. BP will be recorded at baseline and at completion of test, while perceived discomfort scale \& post-exercise exhaustion scale will be assessed upon completion of exercise testing.

Participants fulfilling inclusion exclusion criteria will be asked to sign informed consent. Sealed envelope randomization method would determine order of testing (Group A; No mask, Group B; Surgical mask, Group C; N95 mask). For 6MWT, participants will be asked to walk on 30-meter unimpeded walkway as much as possible \& distance at end is recorded along with number of stops during test. For Bruce Protocol, participants will follow standard stage succession with an abrupt increase in speed \& inclination by end of each 3-minute cycle. The participants will be advised to perform test till exhaustion and level achieved will be recorded. The analyzed data will then be used to calculate VO2max and MET scores. Heart rate, SPO2, respiratory rate will be recorded at baseline, after 2 minutes and at test completion. BP will be recorded at baseline and at completion of test, while perceived discomfort scale \& post-exercise exhaustion scale will be assessed upon completion of exercise testing.

Participants fulfilling inclusion exclusion criteria will be asked to sign informed consent. Sealed envelope randomization method would determine order of testing (Group A; No mask, Group B; Surgical mask, Group C; N95 mask). For 6MWT, participants will be asked to walk on 30-meter unimpeded walkway as much as possible \& distance at end is recorded along with number of stops during test. For Bruce Protocol, participants will follow standard stage succession with an abrupt increase in speed \& inclination by end of each 3-minute cycle. The participants will be advised to perform test till exhaustion and level achieved will be recorded. The analyzed data will then be used to calculate VO2max and MET scores. Heart rate, SPO2, respiratory rate will be recorded at baseline, after 2 minutes and at test completion. BP will be recorded at baseline and at completion of test, while perceived discomfort scale \& post-exercise exhaustion scale will be assessed upon completion of exercise testing.