Heart Rate
bpm (Mean Difference)
Effect of mask wearing on heart rate during exercise. Negative MD = lower heart rate with mask on.
Overall REMD = 1.21 [−0.68; 3.09]
I²76.9%
Sedentary (N=999 mask on)Trained (N=329 mask on)
Performance
SMD
Effect of mask wearing on exercise performance outcomes (power, speed, distance). Negative SMD = worse performance with mask.
Overall RESMD = −0.23 [−0.42; −0.03]
I²76.7%
Sedentary (N=874)Trained (N=220)
Lactate
SMD
Effect of mask wearing on blood lactate levels. Positive SMD = higher lactate with mask on.
Overall RESMD = −0.12 [−0.50; 0.27]
I²78.0%
Sedentary (N=76)Trained (N=184)
RPE
MD (Rating of Perceived Exertion)
Effect of mask wearing on perceived exertion. Positive MD = higher perceived effort with mask on.
Overall REMD = 3.58 [1.97; 5.19]
I²61.3%
Sedentary (N=648)Trained (N=321)
SpO₂
MD (% oxygen saturation)
Effect of mask wearing on blood oxygen saturation. Negative MD = lower SpO₂ with mask on.
Overall REMD = −0.51 [−0.74; −0.28]
I²78.5%
Sedentary (N=1074)Trained (N=250)
