Exercising while wearing your mask is a toxic mix

Fitness fanatics have been in bliss heaven since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were downgraded to level 3.

The streets have become an oasis of jogging enthusiasts and I must admit that we missed them. They add 'colour' to our dry roads. 

One thing has changed though. The joggers now wear masks. Touche!  

But did you know wearing of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic is compromising people’s health, especially those that lead an active lifestyle.

Apart from that general discomfort feeling of having your face covered for extended periods of time (Uuughm), joggers and walkers who resumed their fitness routines following the easing of the lockdown regulations in May have mostly reported worrying symptoms.

In simple terminology, exercise while wearing masks is a dangerous toxic mix.

I'm not a health expert so I won't mislead you with misguided facts so this is what the health experts say about this issue. 

Three local doctors for their opinion.
All agreed it would be better not to exercise at all, rather than doing so with a mask on as it could pose higher life-threatening risks.

‘Wearing a mask already causes claustrophobia for some people, but severely limits oxygen flow into the body while increasing carbon dioxide intake, which is dangerous,’ was the unanimous opinion.

‘When exercising, the heart rate increases, and with it blood flow. With a mask on, people start gasping for air and then breathe in even more toxic carbon dioxide, with serious consequences likely.'

Biology reveals that the body’s immune system needs continuous oxygen supply to work at optimum level – especially now during the current coronavirus epidemic when hypoxia (lack
of adequate oxygen supply) and pulmonary edema (congestive heart failure) have become serious risk factors.

In simple terms, with a mask on you breathe in much less oxygen and much more harmful carbon dioxide which is trapped in front of your mouth and nose when you exhale.

So, while regulations determine we have to wear masks in public or at our workplaces, medical opinion is that one should not run, walk briskly or do other exercises while wearing a mask. It is regarded as counterproductive. 

Some doctors say if, for safety reasons, you don’t want to exercise without a mask, it is actually healthier not to exercise at all, since doing so with a mask causes more harm to your body than the benefits derived from exercise.
With training, one’s heart tempo obviously shoots up and the demand for oxygen in the blood increases significantly.

But a mask prevents the inhalation of sufficient oxygen supply, putting further strain on the body.

And to make matters worse, instead of taking in more oxygen, the athlete continues to inhale even more toxic carbon dioxide trapped in the mask.
Hypoxia is the result.

But remember, wearing a mask in public is a requirement by law. No excuses. It's either you stay at home or you wear your mask. 

Protect yourself and all those around you. Nothing else matters at this stage.