Background:

Tolerance to exercise with the use of face mask is not well known.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the tolerance of exercise parameters during exercise stress testing (EST) while wearing a face mask.

Methods:

Multicenter study of EST while wearing face mask.

Results:

118 ESTs (62 on treadmill, 56 on cycle ergometer), 68 men, age 46.74 ± 16.7 years. Seventy patients (59.3%) completed the EST wearing a face mask, and 48 (40.7%) removed it; 17 patients (27.4%) were on treadmill and 31 (55.4%) on cycle ergometer (p = 0.002). Percentage of maximum predicted heart rate attained when the patients removed their face mask: 94.5 ± 5.35%. Age of those who removed the face mask: 42.69 ± 17.35 years and of those who tolerated the face mask: 49.51 ± 15.88 years (p = 0.003). Baseline SpO2 was 97.46 ± 1.01% and 96.58 ± 1.37% on peak exercise wearing face mask (p < 0.0001). SpO2 when the face mask was removed: 97.06 ± 1.35% (p <0.0001). Younger age and use of cycle ergometer were predictors of intolerance to face mask.

Conclusion:

Most patients completed peak exercise with face mask. Exercise intensity was high when the face mask was removed. Oxygen saturation dropped during exercise with face mask without clinical impact.