Table. Mean values and standard deviations for the mask-specific changes in the examined parameters during exertion.
| p-values | ||||||||
| No mask | Cloth mask | Surg. mask | FFP2 mask | No vs. cloth | No vs. surg. | No vs. FFP2 | ||
| Transcutaneous CO2 partial pressure (mmHg) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
36.8 ± 3.0 38.0 ± 3.2 38.8 ± 3.4 38.4 ± 4.3 |
36.3 ± 3.8 38.3 ± 4.1 39.2 ± 4.0 39.1 ± 4.9 |
36.4 ± 3.8 38.7 ± 4.0 39.6 ± 4.1 39.9 ± 4.9 |
36.2 ± 4.0 38.6 ± 4.5 39.7 ± 4.6 40.5 ± 4.9 |
0.440 0.003 0.002 <0.001 |
0.581 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 |
0.290 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 |
| Peripheral O2 saturation (%) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
98.7 ± 0.8 98.2 ± 0.9 98.2 ± 0.8 98.0 ± 0.8 |
98.9 ± 0.5 98.3 ± 0.7 98.1 ± 0.9 98.0 ± 1.1 |
98.9 ± 0.8 98.3 ± 0.7 98.3 ± 0.8 97.9 ± 1.2 |
98.9 ± 0.7 98.3 ± 1.0 98.0 ± 0.7 97.4 ± 1.4 |
0.257 0.575 0.266 0.447 |
0.257 0.539 0.503 0.247 |
0.135 0.543 0.022 0.005 |
| Breathing frequency (n/min) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
14.8 ± 2.2 21.5 ± 3.8 25.3 ± 5.1 26.4 ± 6.1 |
16.0 ± 3.0 22.0 ± 2.9 25.2 ± 5.1 29.2 ± 8.4 |
14.8 ± 2.2 21.4 ± 4.1 24.8 ± 5.1 28.2 ± 8.5 |
15.3 ± 2.2 21.4 ± 4.2 24.3 ± 6.8 29.0 ± 9.8 |
0.042 0.398 0.258 0.195 |
0.848 0.934 0.732 0.121 |
0.340 0.595 0.334 0.116 |
| Heart rate (n/min) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
79.4 ± 15.6 103.5 ± 16.3 117.8 ± 22.5 129.8 ± 25.1 |
79.4 ± 12.7 103.4 ± 16.5 117.8 ± 21.7 131.5 ± 25.2 |
80.0 ± 13.7 102.9 ± 17.1 117.1 ± 21.8 130.0 ± 26.0 |
79.3 ± 14.4 104.6 ± 18.1 119.6 ± 23.8 132.1 ± 26.9 |
0.984 0.939 0.978 0.433 |
0.746 0.482 0.293 0.787 |
0.978 0.373 0.312 0.174 |
| Systolic RR blood pressure (mmHg) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
127.8 ± 14.6 141.1 ± 18.5 150.7 ± 17.9 166.3 ± 21.3 |
130.1 ± 18.2 143.2 ± 22.4 152.6 ± 22.1 165.5 ± 21.6 |
129.5 ± 15.1 142.5 ± 16.7 157.8 ± 21.6 170.8 ± 22.6 |
126.7 ± 16.1 141.5 ± 15.5 157.7 ± 19.0 173.3 ± 19.2 |
0.305 0.905 0.921 0.448 |
0.456 0.946 0.201 0.424 |
0.603 0.632 0.110 0.082 |
| Diastolic RR blood pressure (mmHg) | Baseline 50 W 75 W 100 W |
74.7 ± 8.9 79.4 ± 7.7 80.1 ± 9.7 86.0 ± 9.6 |
72.2 ± 9.9 77.8 ± 11.2 80.6 ± 13.9 81.4 ± 13.4 |
74.3 ± 8.5 77.9 ± 6.2 82.0 ± 9.9 85.8 ± 10.2 |
73.3 ± 9.3 79.3 ± 10.4 82.0 ± 12.3 86.8 ± 10.3 |
0.151 0.698 0.358 0.475 |
0.862 0.529 0.408 0.944 |
0.352 0.485 0.234 0.289 |
Mean values and standard deviations for the parameters surveyed at the different exertion levels for: no mask; cloth mask (Article 453–3 333/090–001, made of microfilament fabrics, Karl Dieckhoff GmbH & Co. KG, DIN EN 13795); surgical face mask (Sentinex Lite Surgical Face Mask, L&R, performance level Type II 57 according to DIN EN 14683); FFP2 mask (Aura respirator 1862 + FFP2, EN 14683, EN 149: 2001 + A1: 2009); p-values < 0.05 are highlighted in bold. As the study had a relatively small number of participants and no defined primary endpoint, the p-values are purely descriptive and were not adjusted for multiplicity. To avoid exhaustion-related bias, the differences to the baseline values for all parameters per watt level and mask type were determined for each participant (e.g. PtcCO2 at 50 watts without mask – PtcCO2 baseline without mask). Statistical analysis results were relative to the differential values.