Objective: Face masks remain a central component of respiratory infection control strategies;however, concerns persist regarding their physiological effects and user comfort during prolonged wear. This study aimed to compare the physiological and subjective effects of surgical, cloth, and FFP2 masks in healthy young adults.
Methods: This repeated-measures crossover study included 80 healthy participants, each of whom tested surgical, cloth, and FFP2 masks on separate days for at least two hours, allowing within-subject comparison of physiological and subjective responses. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), heart rate (HR), and self-reported symptoms were assessed before and after mask use.
Results: Cloth masks were associated with small but statistically significant reductions in SpO₂ and HR (p
