Introduction In the last years, the use of facemask has been normalised not only in daily activities but also in sport contexts as a consequence of the virus SARS-CoV-2. Prior research has focused on analyzing the potential effects of wearing different facemasks on performance during physical activity with contradictory results 1-4. Although the use of facemasks seems to decrease muscle metabolism and increase cardiorespiratory and mental stress 1, only a few studies have examined its influences over physiological parameters such as ventilation or oxygen consumption at maximum efforts 3-4. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine whether wearing a facemask influenced physiological responses during a maximum incremental kayak-ergometer test in active paddlers. Method: Ten kayakers (24.8 ± 6.8 years old) volunteered for this study. All participants were active kayakers (> 8 hours of training/week) with more than 4 years of competitive experience. Two incremental Bruce protocols in kayak ergometer, one with and one without facemask, were performed by all kayakers with at least 3 days differential to avoid fatigue. A battery of physiological parameters (Power, VO2, relative VO2, Ventilation and Heart rate) were collected during the tests at VT1, VT2 and Peak by a gas analyser VyntusTM CPX (Vyaire medical, INC, Hoechberg, Germany). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc, version 23.0, Chicago, ILL, USA) via paired samples t-test. In addition, the significance level was set at p<0.05. Results and Discussion: The physiological parameters during a maximum incremental kayak ergometer between depending on the facemask conditions are presented in table I. At VT1 and VT2 no significant differences were determined in VO2, power or HR. Similarly, physiological parameters at Peak revealed no statistical differences between any variable analysed. Conclusion Active and experienced kayakers seem to similarly perform using or not facemask during a maximum protocol. The findings of the present investigation suggested that the use of facemask has no significant influence on cardiorespiratory responses such as oxygen consumption or heart rate. Perhaps, the impairment reported in previous studies and associated with the use of facemasks might be related to discomfort and mental stress rather than physiological.
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