PMID 41079536

Research
All papers

The Effect of a KN95 Mask on High-Intensity Interval Training Performance, Physiological Response, and Perception

Kenny DA, Stanziani PJ, Chambers HL, Vinovrski MF, Allocco IN, Fisher JC, Raley ML, Beyer KS

Question

Does wearing a KN95 mask alter cycling HIIT performance, physiological response, or perceived effort/recovery in college athletes?

Summary

In trained college athletes, wearing a KN95 mask during an acute cycling HIIT protocol did not significantly change sprint power, lactate, RPE, perceived recovery, or muscle oxygenation compared with no mask. Recovery heart rate was higher with the mask, and one participant could not complete the masked session because of dyspnea.

Methodology

  • College-aged Division III athletes
  • 19 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 1 min all-out.
  • Recovery: 4 min recovery between sprints.
  • Intensity: All-out against body-mass-based resistance.
  • About 36 min including recovery.
  • Single masked condition in crossover.
  • Acute visit.
  • Counterbalanced crossover acute exercise study
  • Sprint power, Physiological response, Perception, and Dyspnea were tracked.

Outcomes

Performance

KN95 masking did not significantly alter peak power, average power, or work.

No significant interactions; peak power p=0.432 and average power p=0.674.

No clear change

Physiology

Exercise lactate and muscle oxygenation were similar, but recovery heart rate was higher with the mask.

Lactate interaction p=0.533; muscle oxygenation p=0.991; recovery HR trial effect F=4.249, p=0.050.

Mixed

Perception

RPE increased and perceived recovery decreased across sprints similarly in both conditions.

RPE p=0.221; perceived recovery p=0.333 for interactions.

No clear change

Tolerance

One participant could not complete the masked protocol because of dyspnea.

1 of 20 initial participants excluded after masked-trial non-completion.

Safety concern

Insights

  • For trained athletes, KN95 use may not impair acute cycling HIIT output.
  • Mask use still needs symptom monitoring because individual intolerance occurred.
  • Recovery HR may be a sensitive marker when exercising masked.

Limitations

  • Small sample
  • Athlete-only participants
  • Acute crossover only
  • No long-term masked training
  • Resistance prescription discrepancy between abstract and methods notes

Safety

  • One participant could not complete the KN95-masked HIIT trial due to dyspnea.
  • Recovery heart rate was higher in the masked condition.
  • No injuries were reported.