Design and validation of a Cloth Face Covering (CFC) with low breathing resistance for sports practice

A Cloth Face Covering (CFC) to prevent the spread of SARS-COVID 2 was designed and tested with the aim of minimising interference with athletic performance. A highly rigid 3D mesh fabric was chosen as the reusable frame and an electrospun non-woven fabric as the replaceable filter. A product with extremely high breathability was developed that complies with the Italian standard UNI/PdR 90.1:2020. Measurements of the pressure in the dead space during sports practise confirmed the low breathing resistance of CFC. In maximal tests, no differences were found in maximum heart rate and duration of exertion, while the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was slightly higher when wearing CFC compared to not wearing the mask. © 2022 IEEE.