Not even people who are working out are negatively affected by wearing a mask; and there is science backing that up. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have found that exercise performance, as well as blood and muscle oxygen levels, are not affected for healthy people wearing a mask. Questions have been raised about compromised oxygen uptake or increased rebreathing of carbon dioxide. But the study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found no evidence to support these concerns. The study evaluated use of a three-layer cloth face mask.

The researchers say this is important as fitness centres open up during COVID-19, since respiratory droplets may be propelled further with heavy breathing during vigorous exercise and because of reports of COVID clusters in crowded enclosed exercise facilities.

Study co-author Dr. Phil Chilibeck, with the College of Kinesiology says the study might allow sports to continue, including hockey, where transmission of COVID-19 appears to be high.

Given these findings, Chilibeck recommends people wear masks even in exempt places such as gyms, ice rinks or other recreational spaces.