Surgical Face Masks for Management of Exercise Induced Asthma... Research Findings....

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"Effectiveness of a portable face mask in attenuating exercise-induced asthma" (Summarised from:- Brenner AM, Weiser PC, Krogh LA, Loren ML: JAMA. 1980 Nov 14;244(19):2196-8). Investigations have shown that Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) can be prevented by inspiration of warm, fully humidified air during exercise. In this investigation:- A surgical face mask was evaluated for its ability to reduce exercise-induced asthma in ten asthmatic children. The children were tested both before and after 6 minutes on a treadmill for Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and Maximal Mid-Expiratory Flow Rate (MMEF). On the control day (no surgical face mask), the asthma enduced by the exercise decreased FEV1 and MMEF by 34% and 53% respectively. On the test day, (wearing surgical face masks), the resulting exercise astma decreased FEV1 and MMEF a mere 9% and 19% respectively. The authors concluded that "A simple face mask may be an inexpensive, nonpharmacologic alternative for alleviation of EIA". Cross Country Skiers's Comment (Race Time Asthma Management):- Surgical face masks are a cheap and convenient method to minimize exercise enduced asthma at the start of a race. Look for the type with a pliable metal strip that conform the mask to the nose. 10 minutes into the race, the likelihood of your exercise induced asthma has greatly reduced, and you can easily pull the mask down without discarding it. However, in really cold weather, you may well decide to leave it in place for the duration! Surgical Face Masks for Management of Exercise Induced Asthma: © Bruce Thomson, EasyVigour Project Return to Top