INVESTIGATION of the ACUTE EFFECT of MASK USE on WALKING DISTANCE and VITAL SIGNS DURING the INCREMENTAL SHUTTLE WALK TEST in HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is an exercise test used to evaluate maximum exercise capacity in different chronic diseases. ISWT consists of 12 levels, each lasting 1 minute, where the participant walks back and forth along a 10-meter course. The test involves progressively increasing the pace as the individual moves between two cones placed 9 meters apart. The speed of walking is controlled by an audio signal. Initially, the speed is set at 0.50 m/s and is incremented by 0.17 m/s every minute until reaching a final speed of 2.37 m/s at level 12. The test concludes when the participant is hindered by shortness of breath or reaches a heart rate of 85% of their predicted maximum, or if they cannot sustain the required speed and fail to complete a shuttle for two consecutive attempts. The main result is determined by the distance traveled, which is calculated based on the number of shuttles completed.

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the manner in which routine tests are conducted. Since the beginning of the pandemic, wearing masks in public places has been mandatory, necessitating the use of masks during clinical tests.

There are a limited number of studies on the effects of mask use on the results of exercise tests. In a study investigating the effects of mask use on the results of the 6-minute walk test, no significant difference was found in terms of walking distance, while no significant difference was found in terms of dyspnea perception between the two groups. Similar results were found in another study on this subject.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no study in the literature examining the effect of mask use on the results of the ISWT. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are differences in walking distance, maximal heart rate, oxygen saturation, perception of dyspnea, and respiratory rate between healthy individuals undergoing the ISWT with and without masks.

Individuals aged 18-24 years with a body mass index of less than 30 kg/m² and no known diseases will be included in the study. Individuals who self-report a history of chronic or acute disease/dysfunction that contraindicates or limits participation in exercise testing, those taking prescription medications other than oral contraception, those with known pregnancy status, those using drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol, and those with blood pressure greater than or equal to 160/100 mmHg will be excluded from the study.