Implications of surgical mask use in physical education lessons

COVID-19 is being a huge challenge for education systems. Mandatory use of face masks in presential classes may lead to psychophysiological impairment of students, which affect lessons. Thus, the aim of the present research was to analyze the effect of mask use in basal psychophysiological status of physical education students prior to a physical education lesson. We analyzed 72 physical education students in two moments prior to two physical education lessons with 48 h between them. Blood oxygen saturation, body, temple and face temperatures, perceived stress and exertion, and heart rate variability were measured. Results showed that the use of surgical masks in physical education students produced a significant increase on subjective stress perception, sympathetic modulation, cardiovascular response, face, and temple temperature while decreasing blood oxygen saturation. We concluded that the use of surgical masks by physical education students induce modifications on the organic status, which could represent a handicap compromising the academic objectives of physical education lessons. This information can help teachers design efficient physical education lessons.