“mask on”
So as I am sitting in this coffee shop wondering what to write for an inaugural post, I feel a bit lost & nervous (oddly). Then, as I set my gaze out the bay garage windows of this converted car shop to coffee shop, I see my truck, windows down, rain pouring. smh. In a rush I grab my face mask and sprint across Barista Parlor outside to my FJ Cruiser. I return soaked, and out of breath remembering a similar feeling running down L.A.’s Wilshire Blvd. last week mouth and nose covered, exhausted and over it. Then the subject hits me:
TRAINING DURING COVID-19
As you should know by now, it is grossly recommended to wear face masks while in crowded public spaces, such as parks, pathways, and shared indoor spaces, especially gyms. All in the prevention of spreading the virus-disease through respiration. These recommendation— sometimes requirements— pose to be pivotal when we exercise as breathing rates double or even quadruple, sending potentially infectious respiratory droplets. However, as we are entering into 7th month of quarantine many of my clients, friends and athletes have noted discomfort and overall impact toward exercise while masked.
To further understand the change in activity, I measured my own performance over two periods— mask on & mask off (at home). Being a HIIT (high intensity interval training) aficionado, I tend to like a feeling of my heart racing through powered performance. So here is my test:
[MASK ON] HIIT Gym Workout: (AMRAP 5 Minutes) 10 Mt Climber Push Ups, 8 (40lbs) Stone Ball Throw, 10 Lunged Wall Ball
[MASK OFF] HIIT Home Workout: (AMRAP 5 Minutes) 10 Walkout Burpees, 10 Donkey Kicks, 10/10 Bulgarian Jump Squat
Results:
While wearing a mask I felt stunted and pretty uncomfortable as predicted, however, without a mask I was still pretty tapped out by the end of the allotted time. In recoding the heart rate, through, I tracked roughly 10 beats per minute higher (170 bpm) with a masked workout and was only about to complete 3.5 rounds in 5 minutes. Without a mask I was able to be well into my 4th round and mainitnaing 160 bpm.
All Mask Are Not Equal
My short test results certainly prove that mask will surely hinder your performance in a athletic space, but this is almost a non-factor as mask are not really optional and are for preservation rather then performance. So maybe it’s more ideal to scalage sorts of mask suited for athletic performance. As popular as they are, paper, surgical mask should be avoided if possible during exercise, since they rapidly become wet with vigorous breath and actually lose ability to block germs when soiled. The same can be said for cloth or cotton mask.
Cloth mask made from synthetic material should lessen moisture. Particularly a mask with 3 layers or less may be desirable to limit overheating of the face. Try some of these:
ASRV 0382. ViralOff® Vented Performance Mask
3 LAYER MASK FEATURING TWP 1-WAY AIR VALVES ALLOWING GREAT BREATHABILITY.
WATER RESISTANT SHELL WITH ANTIMICROBIAL FABRIC TO ALLOW SUPERIOR PROTECTION. FEATURING UA COOLING MATERIALS TO LIMIT OVER HEATING. CUSTOMIZABLE SIZES.
BUFF USA MULTIFUNCTIONAL HEADWEAR
CAN BE PULLED OVER MOUTH AND NOT BUT REAMIN OPEN AT BOTTOM INCREASING AIR FLOW. BUT PERHAPS THE TRADE OFF FOR EFFECTIVENESS IN INFECTION CONTROL.