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Should you wear face masks to exercise?

Covers yes or no? This topic has raised two important questions among athletes, both amateurs and professionals. The first is about breathing and how it is affected by the chinstrap; while the second considers the advisable distance that must be between the persons.

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One of the questions is whether or not intense and vigorous breathing helps the virus to spread. The truth is that not much is known about it, so it is advisable to wear the chinstrap for doubts.

The other question that arises from the physical activity it is the social distance. Some fear that intense breathing and wind can influence the spread of the virus, due to the saliva particles that we usually expel when we are agitated. Obviously, the chinstrap is the first barrier we have to avoid contagion towards other people, but also, many already affirm that the social distance should be doubled. That is, if we go out for a run, it is advisable to maintain a minimum distance of between three and four meters with respect to other people. In the case of the bicycle, due to the speed at which we can go, it is recommended that the distance be even greater, for example 10 meters or more.

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The doubts are centered on whether it is convenient to wear a chinstrap or face mask during the exercises. Experts recommend increasing the social distance between people who do exercise Physics with displacements like jogging and cycling. Meanwhile, they ensure that the use of masks, type chinstraps, can be risky.

“The use of a mask predisposes to recycle the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is produced in more quantity when we do physical activity. Rebreathing of CO2 can cause decompensation ”, explains Ricardo Yriel, professor of the Postgraduate course in Sports Medicine specialists at the University of Buenos Aires.

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According to the specialist, the mask would limit breathing and could trigger respiratory acidosis, the clinical manifestations of which are dizziness, weakness, loss of concentration. “In a cyclist it can be dangerous because it can end in an accident.”

Physical activity has a more recreational purpose, such as a walk or a moderate jog. In those cases, the person is likely to be able to use the chinstrap Physical activity has a more recreational purpose, such as a walk or a moderate jog. In those cases, the person is likely to be able to use the chinstrap

But he cautions that if you feel suffocated, you should stop using it and try to keep a distance of at least four meters. “A moderate jog implies that the heart rate does not exceed 120 or 130. In the case of more intense physical exercise, it is likely that the person will not bear the use of the mask,” he says.

And he adds: “The most important thing is social distancing. We know the virus well enough, how we can spread it, but we do not know how the other is going to behave, that’s why the use of the chinstrap is recommended, but the idea is to keep your distance ”.

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More distance

Yriel is emphatic: “More than wearing a mask, maybe the best thing is to increase the physical distance.” The specialist mentions a study carried out by experts in fluid dynamics from Europe.

That work, a computational modeling of a person moving at different speeds, concludes that the distance of two meters would not be sufficient in the case of people who are on the move.

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Energetic runners and walkers can create a trail of air behind them that could carry exhaled breath drops up to 4.5 meters or more, meaning the drops could reach people who walk well behind them.

“To maintain social distance, runners and walkers must dodge the people in front of them much sooner,” says the work.

Those distances are five meters for someone who walks fast (at four kilometers per hour), 10 meters for someone who runs at 14.4 km / h, and 20 meters for a cyclist who goes at 30 km / h.

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Warnings

The doctor recommends performing mild to moderate physical activity in these circumstances: “While exercising, the person should feel a slight tiredness, but not exhaustion,” says the specialist. He also recommends that people who did not engage in physical activity during quarantine, gradually restart low intensity exercises.

And another recommendation: “People over 40 or who are hypertensive, have high cholesterol or are smokers should have a medical check-up before starting to exercise.”

Ricardo Yriel also gives other tips during recreational outings: wash your hands and take special care when cleaning your shoes after exercising, do not touch any objects or exercise equipment, do not share your drink and avoid grouping people.

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“And you can’t go out if you have a fever or some other symptom associated with Covid-19,” he recalls.

A special case in Argentina is that of Jujuy, where individual sports activities were re-enabled. The provincial government recommends wearing a chinstrap and bringing a bottle of water. In addition, it is advisable not to go out in groups of more than two people, keeping a lateral distance of one and a half meters. For their part, each individual must respect about 10 meters away from the person in front.

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In short, if we carry out physical activity in absolute solitude, there is no need to use a chinstrap. But in this scenario, where everyone is looking for a pretext to leave home, it is more than obvious that the day we go running or cycling, we meet many people on the way. That is why the use of the chinstrap is more than necessary, since it is the only barrier we have on the street to not infect other people.

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