Experts Caution Against Exercising with Mask On As More People Exercise Indoors

By
Megan
-

While COVID-19 rages on, the grind never stops for some. 

You may still wish to head out to fitness studios to get your daily workout in, but what are the concerns surrounding the wearing of a mask during exercise? 

In line with Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), only low-intensity sports and physical activities are permitted at indoor fitness facilities. 

Masks have to be worn at all times within such facilities. 

While workouts that are usually considered more intense, such as spin, Zumba and hot yoga are still ongoing, some studios have made these classes less intense and provided more breaks. Some have also made the decision to move outdoors. 

However, according to fitness experts, you still shouldn’t push yourself too hard when exercising with a mask on.

Here’s all that you need to know. 

Experts Caution Against Exercising with Mask On As More People Exercise Indoors

According to sports medicine physician and medical director of Sports Medicine Lab Dr Cormac O’Muircheartaigh, people should take into consideration their own medical history, experience with the type of exercise being conducted, and symptoms felt during the exercise. 

They should decide if the class is too intense for them based on these factors. 

He said that being able to “hold a conversation easily while exercising” is an indication of light exercise while with very high-intensity workouts, participants are able to only “say words”. 

He also added that moderate-to-high intensity exercises such as spinning and Zumba can still be safely carried out even with masks on as long as one does not have “underlying medical conditions that increase [their] risk”. 

Additionally, people with underlying conditions pertaining to the heart and lungs should take extra precaution when exercising with a mask on, as one would have to work harder to breathe while wearing a mask. 

According to Mr Dexter Tay, head of training and development at fitness education academy FIT Asia, shortness of breath and dizziness could result from performing intense workouts with a mask on.

He added that this could potentially trigger an asthma episode. 

The efficacy of a mask that becomes soaked and damp from sweat during exercise was also discussed by the experts. 

Mr Tay said that sweat could cause the masks to be “wet and potentially flimsy, rendering them ineffective”.

This was supported by Dr O’Muircheartaigh, who echoed that perspiration on a mask diminishes the effectiveness of the protective barrier and makes the mask less effective. 

Mr Tay advised workouts at moderate intensity, dismissing the popular saying “go hard or go home”. 

Indeed, striking a balance and finding that middle ground is key.

Featured Image: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

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Megan
Email: [email protected]