Key result
A face mask yielded similar maximal oxygen consumption compared to a mouthpiece with a noseclip during incremental exercise to exhaustion (52.2 vs 52.7 ml/kg/min; P=0.53).
Why the study?
Does a face mask compared to a mouthpiece with a noseclip affect metabolic gas analysis data during incremental exercise to exhaustion?
RCT (n=14)
Random order
Does a face mask compared to a mouthpiece with a noseclip affect metabolic gas analysis data during incremental exercise to exhaustion?
Absolute Event Rate: 52.2% vs 52.7%
p-value: p=0.53
The selection of a face mask versus a mouthpiece with a noseclip does not significantly affect metabolic gas exchange or breathing patterns during maximal exercise testing.
May affect VO2max readings in maximal tests; leaves open need for equipment standardization in exercise labs.
Investigations in the 1990s evaluated the influence of breathing assemblies on respiratory variables at rest and during exercise; however, research on new models of breathing assemblies is lacking. This study compared metabolic gas analysis data from a mouthpiece with a noseclip (MOUTH) and a face mask (MASK). Volunteers (7 males, 7 females; 25.1 ± 2.7 years) completed two maximal treadmill tests within 1 week, one MOUTH and one MASK, in random order. The difference in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) between MOUTH (52.7 ± 11.3 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) and MASK (52.2 ± 11.7 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) was not significant (P = 0.53). Likewise, the mean MOUTH-MASK differences in minute ventilation (VE), fraction of expired oxygen (FEO2) and carbon dioxide (FECO2), respiration rate (RR), tidal volume (Vt), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at maximal and submaximal intensities were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no systematic bias in the error scores (r = -0.13, P = 0.66), and 12 of the 14 participants had a VO2max difference of ≤3 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1) between conditions. Finally, there was no clear participant preference for using the MOUTH or MASK. Selection of MOUTH or MASK will not affect the participant's gas exchange or breathing patterns.
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Wagner et al. (2015) reported an RCT. Face mask vs. Mouthpiece with a noseclip was evaluated on Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (p=0.53). A face mask yielded similar maximal oxygen consumption compared to a mouthpiece with a noseclip during incremental exercise to exhaustion (52.2 vs 52.7 ml/kg/min; P=0.53).
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