We study the effect of surgical masks on cardiopulmonary function based on a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). This study shows that surgical masks reduce cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and ventilation in healthy young subjects and wearing masks might affect aerobic exercise capacity more in female subjects than in male subjects.
Li, M., Ou, H., Li, Q., Liang, J., Liao, W., Lang, S., Chen, H., Wang, Y., Tang, K., Lin, Q., Zheng, Y. Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects. J. Vis. Exp. (168), e62121, doi:10.3791/62121 (2021).