University of Tehran Sport Sciences and Health Research 2981-0205 17 1 2025 01 01 The effect of surgical and N95 mask use during maximal exercise on physiological, perceptual, and performance responses in healthy men 97 105 102332 10.22059/sshr.2024.385453.1168 EN Reza Banimehdi Dehkordi 1- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran Akram Jafari 1- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran Laleh Bagheri 2- PhD in Exercise Physiology, Shahrekord University, Physical Education Teacher of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Shahrekord, Iran Journal Article 2024 11 18 Background: The effects of wearing common masks during maximal exercise activities on individuals remain unclear.<br />Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of wearing surgical and N-95 masks on physiological, perceptual, and performance responses in healthy men performing a maximal shuttle run test.<br />Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy men (age 23.78 ± 2.0) participated in three sessions: without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with an N-95 mask, with a one-week interval between each session. After each test, physiological variables (heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and oxygen saturation), perceptual variables (comfort/discomfort and perceived exertion), and performance variables (maximum oxygen consumption and shuttle run test duration) were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to compare differences between the conditions.<br />Results: Significant differences were observed between the conditions with and without a mask in terms of oxygen saturation (P= 0.043), blood lactate concentration (P= 0.026), and perceived exertion, maximum oxygen consumption, and shuttle run test duration (P= 0.001), with the no-mask condition demonstrating superior outcomes in all variables. The type of mask (surgical or N-95) did not significantly affect the measured variables. Wearing both masks led to an increased sensation of moisture, heat, shortness of breath, and fatigue.<br />Conclusion: Wearing masks, especially during intense physical activities, may impair physiological and performance metrics, recommending mask-free outdoor settings when feasible. https://sshr.ut.ac.ir/article_102332_f8643890eca4ece27f0db44c0b7729ca.pdf