TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of Aerosol Generation During Various Intensities of Exercise
AU - Sajgalik, Pavol
AU - Garzona-Navas, Andres
AU - Csécs, Ibolya
AU - Askew, J. Wells
AU - Lopez-Jimenez, Francisco
AU - Niven, Alexander S.
AU - Johnson, Bruce D.
AU - Allison, Thomas G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American College of Chest Physicians
PY - 2021/10
Y1 - 2021/10
N2 - Background: Characterization of aerosol generation during exercise can inform the development of safety recommendations in the face of COVID-19. Research Question: Does exercise at various intensities produce aerosols in significant quantities? Study Design and Methods: In this experimental study, subjects were eight healthy volunteers (six men, two women) who were 20 to 63 years old. The 20-minute test protocol of 5 minutes rest, four 3-minute stages of exercise at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of age-predicted heart rate reserve, and 3 minutes active recovery was performed in a clean, controlled environment. Aerosols were measured by four particle counters that were place to surround the subject. Results: Age averaged 41 ± 14 years. Peak heart rate was 173 ± 17 beat/min (97% predicted); peak maximal oxygen uptake was 33.9 ± 7.5 mL/kg/min; and peak respiratory exchange ratio was 1.22 ± 0.10. Maximal ventilation averaged 120 ± 23 L/min, while cumulative ventilation reached 990 ± 192 L. Concentrations increased exponentially from start to 20 minutes (geometric mean ± geometric SD particles/liter): Fluke >0.3 μm = 66 ± 1.8 → 1605 ± 3.8; 0.3-1.0 μm = 35 ± 2.2 → 1095 ± 4.6; Fluke 1.0-5.0 μm = 21 ± 2.0 → 358 ± 2.3; P-Trak anterior = 637 ± 2.3 → 5148 ± 3.0; P-Trak side = 708 ± 2.7 → 6844 ± 2.7; P-Track back = 519 ± 3.1 → 5853 ± 2.8. All increases were significant at a probability value of <.05. Exercise at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve showed statistically significant increases in aerosol concentration. Interpretation: Our data suggest exercise testing is an aerosol-generating procedure and, by extension, other activities that involve exercise intensities at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve. Results can guide recommendations for safety of exercise testing and other indoor exercise activities.
AB - Background: Characterization of aerosol generation during exercise can inform the development of safety recommendations in the face of COVID-19. Research Question: Does exercise at various intensities produce aerosols in significant quantities? Study Design and Methods: In this experimental study, subjects were eight healthy volunteers (six men, two women) who were 20 to 63 years old. The 20-minute test protocol of 5 minutes rest, four 3-minute stages of exercise at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of age-predicted heart rate reserve, and 3 minutes active recovery was performed in a clean, controlled environment. Aerosols were measured by four particle counters that were place to surround the subject. Results: Age averaged 41 ± 14 years. Peak heart rate was 173 ± 17 beat/min (97% predicted); peak maximal oxygen uptake was 33.9 ± 7.5 mL/kg/min; and peak respiratory exchange ratio was 1.22 ± 0.10. Maximal ventilation averaged 120 ± 23 L/min, while cumulative ventilation reached 990 ± 192 L. Concentrations increased exponentially from start to 20 minutes (geometric mean ± geometric SD particles/liter): Fluke >0.3 μm = 66 ± 1.8 → 1605 ± 3.8; 0.3-1.0 μm = 35 ± 2.2 → 1095 ± 4.6; Fluke 1.0-5.0 μm = 21 ± 2.0 → 358 ± 2.3; P-Trak anterior = 637 ± 2.3 → 5148 ± 3.0; P-Trak side = 708 ± 2.7 → 6844 ± 2.7; P-Track back = 519 ± 3.1 → 5853 ± 2.8. All increases were significant at a probability value of <.05. Exercise at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve showed statistically significant increases in aerosol concentration. Interpretation: Our data suggest exercise testing is an aerosol-generating procedure and, by extension, other activities that involve exercise intensities at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve. Results can guide recommendations for safety of exercise testing and other indoor exercise activities.
KW - aerosol
KW - exercise
KW - exercise testing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115891927&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85115891927&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.chest.2021.04.041
DO - 10.1016/j.chest.2021.04.041
M3 - Article
C2 - 33957100
AN - SCOPUS:85115891927
SN - 0012-3692
VL - 160
SP - 1377
EP - 1387
JO - Chest
JF - Chest
IS - 4
ER -