Effect of Wearing A Mask on Functional Capacity in Healthy Adults During Covid 19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Study

AbstractThis study is done with the aim to explore the effect of wearing N95 respirators on functional capacity test – 6 minute walk test distance in healthy Indian young volunteers, and also to understand the gender specific difference in distance covered. Design: Observational study. Participants: Hundred participants who volunteered. Intervention: 6MWT in healthy Indian volunteers without mask and with mask. Outcome Measures: Aerobic capacity, anthropometric measurements (age, height, weight, Body mass Index( BMI)) and distance covered wearing mask and without wearing mask, Rating of perceived Exertion (RPE). Results: Hundred participants completed the study. The mean 6 Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) without mask was 460.90 ± 69.254 and of with mask 459.60 ± 69.977. It was found that 6MWD with mask has a negative correlation with age (r= -0.21), height (r= -0.213), weight (r= -0.271), BMI (r= -0.195). Values derived from standard equation when compared with the distance covered by males and females without mask and with mask were significantly less than expected values. The standard distance walked by males (608.79 ± 30.5) with mean distance walked without mask (447.7 ± 72.7) (95% CI 130.1 to 190) and with mask (448.4 ± 68.9) (95% CI 130.6 to 191.4). The expected standard distance for females is (542.8 ± 33.3) while the mean distance walked without mask (466.52 ± 69.2 ) (95% CI 57.1 to 95.5) and with mask (464.9 ± 68.6) (95% CI 58.9 to 96.9). Conclusion: This study concludes that the distance covered in 6MWT wearing N95 mask and without wearing mask was not significantly different but was significantly lesser than the expected distance to be walked as calculated by the standard equation. Recommendation: A similar study should be conducted in diseased population to check for clinical use.