COVID-19
IMPORTANT BLOG EXTRACTS
a source of physiological stress on the body. When
the two occur concurrently, there is potential for a
multitude of complications in almost every organ
system. These include an increased risk of skeletal
muscle breakdown, electrolyte abnormalities, hyperresponsive
airways, altered heart rhythms, and
increased risk of sudden cardiac death,” she says.
Time to Adapt
Dr Blanco adds that while it is almost impossible
to determine what the future holds for the world
of sports, it is important to adapt and roll with the
punches. “I think one of the biggest ways in which
sport may change, at least for the foreseeable
future, is that we will have to sacrifice some of the
entertainment value for the sake of safety. We have
to do our part to limit public exposure as much as
possible, and thus fans who hope to attend live
sporting competitions may have to wait a while before
being able to do so.”
Most people will be able to exercise safely wearing
a face covering, but there are a number of points
to consider, write Professor Christa Janse van
Rensburg and Dr Jessica Hamuy Blanco of the
University of Pretoria in their blog.
1. Viral transmission from infected but asymptomatic
or pre-symptomatic individuals is possible. Due
to the increased rate and force associated with
breathing during exercise, the risk of aerolisation
and the spread of virus-containing droplets could
theoretically be higher than when at rest.
2. Reserve filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) (e.g.
N95/FFP1/FFP2) for specific work environments
such as front-line healthcare workers. These should
not be used by the public and also not for exercise
purposes.
3. Airflow-restricting masks can increase the rate
of perceived exertion and decrease performance
during resistance training. Not much is known about
the effect during aerobic activity. Surgical masks
may increase perceptions of dyspnoea (shortness
of breath – Ed.), but negative effects on aerobic
performance have not been demonstrated.
4. While there is no evidence showing the effects of
cloth masks or buffs, they could potentially increase
the breathing effort and cause accumulation of
CO2. Wearing a mask may, in fact, simulate the
physiological effect of altitude training, albeit on
a smaller scale. This is unlikely to be an issue for
most people but could present a problem at higher
intensities of exercise, particularly for those with
underlying health concerns. It would be prudent
for people with existing heart or lung conditions
to exercise at a lower intensity than usual while
wearing a mask, to prevent any adverse events.
People must be cognisant of their breathing during
exercise and somewhat slow down or take a break
if they feel that their work rate is too high, or if
experiencing dizziness or light-headedness.
5. A more breathable material will aid in comfort
but may have the cost of less effective viral
source control. Two layers of material are
considered sufficient to balance efficacy and
comfort. Not having a tight seal around the sides
of your face also allows for better air movement,
but will subsequently increase the risk of droplet
spread.
6. Due to the accumulation of moisture from our
exhaled breath, cloth masks or buffs are likely to
get wet during exercise. Breathing through dry
cloth is easier as opposed to damp cloth. Hot
and humid conditions can worsen the effect of
strenuous breathing. Moisture-wicking material,
such as polyester, is a good option, but may
cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Consider taking a second mask/buff along during
exercise sessions for replacement of the damp
one. This can be tricky as one should try to
avoid touching your face. Therefore, an attempt
to maintain good hand hygiene before and
after touching your face is advised, and can be
achieved by taking along travel-sized sanitisers in
your pocket.
7. Theoretically, wet material may facilitate
viral transmission. However, cloth masks are
recommended for source control and are likely
insufficient to prevent transmission of viral particles
to the wearer even when dry.
8. Although everything regarding COVID-19 is not
clear yet, the rule not to exercise when suffering
from febrile illness (illness that causes fever – Ed.)
remains, due to the cardiorespiratory complications
that may occur.
A final piece of advice the blog authors
recommend highly is that you should ensure that
your face covering is comfortable and secure
before leaving the house, to limit the need to
readjust it and touch your face.
“Technology will have to play a bigger role than
before, and could open up new revenue streams,
as income from ticket sales will inevitably decrease.
For the financial model of the professional sporting
world to survive, there are going to have to be new,
innovative ways to engage with consumers. Also,
professional sport involves a lot of travel to and from
events, and this will have to be appropriately adapted
to limit viral spread. The regulations will have to be
closely adhered to,” she says.
You can read the complete blog post here:
https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2020/06/12/should-people-wear-a-face-mask-during-exercise-what-should-clinicians-advise/
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