E-POS: 60

TITLE: EFFECT OF WEARING SURGICAL MASK ON SUBMAXIMALTESTING IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS –A PILOT STUDY

Dr.L.G.Jose*,Shaikh Nargis Zafar**, Meerena Joseph***

Prof and Principal * , 1 st year MPT**(Presenting Author),1st year MPT***

Dr.M V Shetty college of Physiotherapy , Mangalore

E-mail (Presenting Author):nargisshaikh455@gmail.com

Contact no :6363929478

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has created serious challenges to global health, for which face mask use is recommended as a mitigation strategy. Evidence exists that the use of face masks prevents contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Recently, the WHO advises against the wearing of masks during vigorous physical activities because they may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably. There are also concerns that the masks increase breathing resistance and carbon dioxide rebreathing and reduce oxygen uptake during exercising. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a common and reproducible test of exercise capacity used in the initial assessment and surveillance of many cardiopulmonary conditions. The objective is to determine the effect of face masks on 6-minute walk distance in healthy individuals .

METHODOLOGY: Twenty subjects (mean Age 24, range 21- 26,10 male and 10 female) were randomized to undergo physical exercise with facial mask. Physical exercise was induced by a standard 6-min walk test (6MWT) protocol. Two 6MWTs are done one with a mask and one without .The outcome measure is heart rate and Borg Dyspnea Scale.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION: This study concluded that there is no significant difference in the distance walked with or without mask and does not affect the supply of oxygen.However,there was a significant difference in the perception of dyspnea.

KEY WORDS: COVID-19,FACE MASK,6 MIN WALK DISTANCE.