Effect of wearing different types of face masks during dynamic and isometric resistance training on intraocular pressure

Vera, Jesús; Redondo, Beatriz; Koulieris, George-Alex; Jiménez, Raimundo; García-Ramos, Amador

Abstract

Clinical relevance: The use of face masks has demonstrated to be an effective strategy to prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Wearing face masks, mainly Filtering Face Piece 2 (FFP2) masks, during exercise practice has demonstrated to affect several physiological measures. Background: This study was aimed at assessing the intraocular pressure (IOP) behaviour during the execution of the dynamic and isometric biceps-curl exercise with a surgical and FFP2 face mask. Methods: Twenty two physically active young adults performed sets of 10 repetitions against the 10-RM (repetition maximum) load and 1-minute isometric effort against a load 15% lower than the 10-RM load with the FFP2 and surgical mask and without any mask. A total of six exercise sets (3 experimental conditions [FFP2, surgical and control] × 2 exercise modalities) were performed. A rebound tonometer was used to measure IOP before, during (10 measurements), and after (30-seconds of passive recovery) each training set. Results: At rest, there were not statistically significant IOP differences (p = 0.222). During dynamic exercise, there was a progressive IOP rise (p < 0.001), and a higher IOP response with the FFP2 than without the mask (corrected p-value = 0.003). For the isometric exercise, there was a greater IOP response as a function of accumulated effort (p < 0.001), which was dependent of the face mask used (FFP2> surgical>control; corrected p-values< 0.01). Conclusions: The FFP2 masks cause a heightened IOP response during the execution of dynamic and isometric biceps-curl exercise, suggesting that, when possible, glaucoma patients should limit the use of FFP2 masks during resistance training.

Citation

Vera, J., Redondo, B., Koulieris, G., Jiménez, R., & García-Ramos, A. (in press). Effect of wearing different types of face masks during dynamic and isometric resistance training on intraocular pressure. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2054315

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 13, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 31, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 30, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 31, 2023
• Journal: Clinical and Experimental Optometry
• Print ISSN: 0816-4622
• Electronic ISSN: 1444-0938
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2054315