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Aerosol Generation During High Intensity Exercise-Implications for COVID-19 Transmission.
Cowie, Brian; Wadlow, Imogen; Yule, Andrew; Janssens, Kristel; Ward, Jason; Foulkes, Steve; Humphries, Ruhi; McGain, Forbes; Dhillon, Rana; La Gerche, André.
  • Cowie B; Sports Cardiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Anaesthesia, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia. Electronic address: brian.cowie@svha.org.au.
  • Wadlow I; Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Yule A; Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Janssens K; Sports Cardiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Ward J; Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Foulkes S; Sports Cardiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Humphries R; Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • McGain F; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Western Health, Victoria, Australia; Department of Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • Dhillon R; Department of Neurosurgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
  • La Gerche A; Sports Cardiology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; National Centre for Sports Cardiology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Heart Lung Circ ; 2022 Nov 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2229115
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND

AIM:

COVID-19 can be transmitted through aerosolised respiratory particles. The degree to which exercise enhances aerosol production has not been previously assessed. We aimed to quantify the size and concentration of aerosol particles and evaluate the impact of physical distance and surgical mask wearing during high intensity exercise (HIE).

METHODS:

Using a prospective observational crossover study, three healthy volunteers performed high intensity cardiopulmonary exercise testing at 80% of peak capacity in repeated 5-minute bouts on a cycle ergometer. Aerosol size and concentration was measured at 35, 150 and 300 cm from the participants in an anterior and lateral direction, with and without a surgical face mask, using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) and a Mini Wide Range Aerosol Spectrometer (MiniWRAS), with over 10,000 sample points.

RESULTS:

High intensity exercise generates aerosol in the 0.2-1 micrometre range. Increasing distance from the rider reduces aerosol concentrations measured by both MiniWRAS (p=0.003 for interaction) and APS (p=0.041). However, aerosol concentrations remained significantly increased above baseline measures at 300 cm from the rider. A surgical face mask reduced submicron aerosol concentrations measured anteriorly to the rider (p=0.031 for interaction) but not when measured laterally (p=0.64 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS:

High intensity exercise is an aerosol generating activity. Significant concentrations of aerosol particles are measurable well beyond the commonly recommended 150 cm of physical distancing. A surgical face mask reduces aerosol concentration anteriorly but not laterally to an exercising individual. Measures for safer exercise should emphasise distance and airflow and not rely solely on mask wearing.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal subject: Vascular Diseases / Cardiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal subject: Vascular Diseases / Cardiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article