Cognitive performance and mood during respirator wear and exercise

The combined effects of respirator wear and low-intensity work on decision making and mood were assessed in eight subjects during 60 min of low-intens ity treadmill walking with and without a respirator to determine whether th e stresses of respirator wear negatively impact decision making. Subjects c ompleted walks during no mask wear, wear of a respirator with high inspirat ory resistance, and wear of a respirator with low resistance. Cognitive tas ks included choice reaction (CHO), serial addition/subtraction (ADD), logic al reasoning (LOG), and serial reaction (SER), Mood was measured using a qu estionnaire with 36 adjectives representing the factors of activity, anger, depression, fear, happiness, and fatigue. Data were obtained preexercise, after 20 and 40 min of walking, and postexercise, Combined respirator wear and low-intensity exercise did not affect accuracy, speed, or throughput in any of the cognitive tasks. Likewise, no significant effects of condition on the six mood factor scores were observed. These results show that the co mbination of respirator wear and low-level activity does not adversely alte r cognitive performance or mood.