USE OF MASKS, MAXIMUM O2 CONSUMPTION AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PERUVIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS; USO DE MASCARILLAS, CONSUMO MÁXIMO DE O2 Y DETERIORO COGNITIVO EN ESTU-DIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS PERUANOS

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the effect that the use of masks has on the maximum oxygen consumption and cognitive deterioration in university students of the Physical Education Career. The study design was pre-experimental, the sample consisted of 28 healthy Peruvian university students (20 women and 8 men), the instrument used to measure maximum oxygen consumption was the Rockport test and to observe cognitive impairment, the scale was used. of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). The results show a significant decrease ((p<0.000) of the maximum oxygen consumption from 41 ml/kg/min when they did not use a mask to 37 ml/kg/min when they used a mask during the Rockport test, significant cognitive deterioration was also observed (p<0.000), in the study subjects, they decreased from 25 to 21 in the MOCA test score, it should be noted that the upper limit score to consider an individual normal in their cognitive functions is 26. In conclusion, a decrease was observed in maximal oxygen consumption as well as in their cognitive functions when wearing a mask compared to when they did not. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.