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

PMID: 41079536
Journal: International Journal of Exercise Science
Published: 2025-10-01
Authors: 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.

## Population

- College-aged Division III athletes
- Sample size: 19
- Age: College-aged
- Sex: Men and women; initial sample 10 men and 10 women
- Fitness level: Trained athletes with HIIT experience
- Health status: Apparently healthy athletes

## Methodology

- Counterbalanced crossover acute exercise study
- Two acute visits
- Laboratory cycle ergometer testing
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- KN95 HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: 1 min all-out.
- Recovery: 4 min recovery between sprints.
- Sets or repetitions: 4.
- Intensity: All-out against body-mass-based resistance.
- Session duration: About 36 min including recovery.
- Frequency: Single masked condition in crossover.
- Program length: Acute visit.
- Progression: None.
- No-mask HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: 1 min all-out.
- Recovery: 4 min recovery between sprints.
- Sets or repetitions: 4.
- Intensity: All-out against body-mass-based resistance.
- Session duration: About 36 min including recovery.
- Frequency: Single no-mask condition in crossover.
- Program length: Acute visit.
- Progression: None.

## Outcomes

### Performance
Status: no clear change
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.

### Physiology
Status: mixed
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.

### Perception
Status: no clear change
RPE increased and perceived recovery decreased across sprints similarly in both conditions.

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

### Tolerance
Status: worse/safety concern
One participant could not complete the masked protocol because of dyspnea.

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

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41079536/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.70252/AIHP7164) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12510697/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.