POLOKWANE – Although it is ideal to exercise without a mask on, current lockdown regulations still require one to wear a mask when going out.
Recent guidelines by the World Health Organization indicate that masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably during exercise, while other studies showed it not to be the case.
With this in mind, Review spoke to general practitioner, Dr Mphuzi Baloyi, as well as the Health MEC Spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha.
According to Baloyi, runners should run with precaution. “But, a mask does make it harder to inhale the quantity of air needed to perform at the highest levels. We know that wearing a surgical mask can increase the resistance to airflow. Exercise invariably leads to faster and harder breaths, so wearing a mask during exercise places a further strain on airflow”.
Baloyi added that at low to moderate-intensity exercise, it will take slightly more effort than usual when one wears a mask. “The challenge appears to be more during heavy exercises,” he said.
Baloyi explained that when people partake in heavy exercise such as running, the muscles produce lactic acid which as a result causes a burning sensation. This is converted to carbon dioxide and exhaled. “When the carbon dioxide is trapped by the mask and we inhale it again, it can reduce cognitive function and increase our breathing rate as we move from light to heavy exercises,” he said.
The Health MEC’s Spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, told Review that current regulations demand that everyone wear a mask and follows proper social distancing. “It is better to indulge in low intensity exercise or opt for walking or slow jogging which puts less strain on breathing. Runners are advised to speak to their coaches and doctors if they want to resort to high intensity running, to avoid medical consequences,” he said.
Muavha said crowded places must be avoided when one goes jogging. “Do not use the N95 mask as they are primarily for healthcare workers and other surgical masks are worn to save others if we have any type of infection.”
He added that joggers should ensure that their mask are not too tight or loose and cover the required area before they leave the house.
