Effects of Wearing Face Masks on Cardiorespiratory Parameters at Rest and after Performing the Six-Minute Walk Test in Older Adults

The effects of wearing cloth masks and surgical masks were investigated on respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and perceived exertion at rest and after performing a six-minute walk test (6MWT) in older adults. Forty older adults were recruited and randomized into six groups including wearing no mask, cloth masks and surgical masks, at rest and during the 6MWT. At rest, all subjects sat quietly wearing no mask, a cloth mask or a surgical mask. All subjects performed a 6MWT by walking as fast as possible without running while wearing no mask, a cloth mask or a surgical mask. Respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and perceived exertion were assessed before and after the rest and the 6MWT. Results showed that cloth masks and surgical masks did not impact cardiorespiratory parameters at rest or after performing a 6MWT, while an increase in perceived exertion was apparent in the groups wearing surgical masks and cloth masks after performing the 6MWT (p < 0.01). Cloth masks and surgical masks did not have an impact on cardiorespiratory fitness at rest and after performing the 6MWT in older adults.