Cognitive Performance and Mood During Respirator Wear and Exercise

The combined effects of respirator wear and low-intensity work on decision making and mood were assessed in eight subjects during 60 min of low-intensity treadmill walking with and without a respirator to determine whether the stresses of respirator wear negatively impact decision making. Subjects completed walks during no mask wear, wear of a respirator with high inspiratory resistance, and wear of a respirator with low resistance. Cognitive tasks included choice reaction (CHO), serial addition/subtraction (ADD), logical reasoning (LOG), and serial reaction (SER). Mood was measured using a questionnaire with 36 adjectives representing the factors of activity, anger, depression, fear, happiness, and fatigue. Data were obtained preexercise, after 20 and 40 min of walking, and postexercise. Combined respirator wear and low-intensity exercise did not affect accuracy, speed, or throughout in any of the cognitive tasks. Likewise, no significant effects of condition on the six mood factor scores were observed. These results show that the combination of respirator wear and low-level activity does not adversely alter cognitive performance or mood.