UAE doctors advise: Is it risky to wear a mask while working out?

Dubai: As gyms reopen from Wednesday and people begin exercising with face masks, is there a risk of choking on exhaled carbon dioxide (Co2)?

He added that during exercise this problem got more exacerbated: “When we exercise the breaths per minute go up and as we exhale more, more Co2 is trapped in the dead space and we end up taking that in which can result in the individual exercising, gasping for breath.”

He agreed, “In order to wear your mask and manage your exercise without choking on Co2 you need to avoid wearing a tight fitting. multi-layered mask and choose the surgical mask for a gym work out.

“In a public space like gym, for now choose, light to moderate exercise that is not anaerobic and makes you breathless. Choose a slower cross trainer work out, a bicycle or some light weights. If you do anaerobic exercise, be mindful that you are maintain social distance and can safely remove your mask for that time.

“It is recommended that you finish exercising at one station and do not return to it,” he added. “For instance, if you are doing weights finish that before moving as that section may have been sanitised for you and returning again later may not have all the hygiene precautions in place.

“Do not go in for gym exercises if you already have suffered a respiratory episode or are recovering from a bout of lung infection or pneumonia. Restrict yourself to walking with a mask until you completely recover.”

Crucially, he added, “Remove the mask the moment you feel breathless, discontinue exercise and open a window close by to breathe in fresh air.

“It is precisely for these reasons that the Dubai Sports Council guidelines state, it is important to wear a mask during light or moderate exercises, but during high intensity anaerobic exercises (where one is literally gasping for oxygen), it is fine to lower or remove your masks (providing you are practicing safe distancing),” he added.