A comparison of respiratory particle emission rates at rest and while speaking or exercising.
Christopher Michael OrtonHenry E SymonsBenjamin MoseleyJustice ArcherNatalie Anne WatsonKeir Elmslie James PhilipSadiyah SheikhBrian Saccente-KennedyDeclan CostelloWilliam J BrowneJames D CalderBryan R BzdekJames H HullJonathon P ReidPallav L ShahPublished in: Communications medicine (2022)
Vocalisation drives greater aerosol mass emission rates, compared to breathing at rest. Aerosol mass emission rates in exercise rise with intensity. Aerosol mass emission rates during vigorous exercise are no different from speaking at a conversational level. Mitigation strategies for airborne pathogens for non-exercise-based social interactions incorporating vocalisation, may be suitable for the majority of exercise settings. However, the use of facemasks when exercising may be less effective, given the smaller size of particles produced.