Q: Do I really need to wear one? Will it affect my ability to exercise?
A. First off, we are SO happy to hear how many people have taken up exercising outdoors!!
Running, biking, walking, or any other form of physical activity is important to maintain (or start up!) especially during these pandemic times.
Exercise can reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease – the underlying conditions that place people at high risk for severe COVID19. Also, it’s been shown to act as a mood booster to help with the depression and anxiety that characterize pandemic life these days.
Engaging in these activities outdoors (vs indoors in a gym), and choosing solo activities (or with as few people as possible) are just the strategies needed to limit transmission of COVID19. For more on why outdoors is better than indoors, see our past post.
So do you need to wear a mask while exercising solo outdoors?
Generally yes, but it also depends – on where you live, and when and where you exercise. If there’s a chance of encountering other people and you can’t maintain a distance of 6 ft, then wear a mask.
Moderate to vigorous exercise especially, often involves breathing in and out very deeply. It can also produce more mucus and lead to some coughing, even if you, the exerciser, hadn’t been exhibiting symptoms of COVID19. Wearing a mask protects other people you may encounter on your route, particularly if you are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic.
But isn’t it harder to exercise with a mask on?
This Nerdy Girl can relate! After taking up exercising again after a lot of time off, I get woefully out of breath – and this is WITHOUT a mask!! As Dr. Caitlin Lewis, a sports medicine specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, notes, “A face mask is going to decrease your airflow, making it a little harder to breathe. It won’t decrease your oxygen or retain carbon dioxide. But it will probably impact your performance or pace.”
The good news? “Like all aspects of fitness, the more you do it, the longer and better you’ll be able to tolerate it. So your fitness level can adapt to a face covering.”
And in even better news? Not only will your body gets used to it, but after a period of time, your fitness is expected to improve. “Think of this as similar to the effect of running a flat route after several weeks of hill training: Your body adapts to the tougher condition and will likely perform better once it returns to the easier condition.” Runners World Link
How can you make exercising with a mask easier?
1. Choose a mask with moisture-wicking fabric. A sweaty mask is less breathable. Neck gaiters, for example, are becoming popular for this purpose.
2. If you’ll be out exercising for awhile (or if you sweat a lot), bring along more than one mask, and make sure they are clean!
If it really is too difficult to breathe while exercising with a mask on, choose routes and times of the day/night when you are least likely to encounter other people.
For more great info on masks and exercise:
