Wearing a face mask during intense exercise has been declared safe in healthy people, according to a new study.
The research involved a live test to look at the performance of 12 people on a static exercise bike, monitored by cardiologists at the University of Milan.
Scientists and doctors tested the volunteers' breathing and heart rates during intense periods of cycling and found no adverse health effects from wearing a face mask.
The results have been published in the European Respiratory Journal, and suggest wearing masks during gym workouts could prevent the spread of Covid-19 without impairing someone's health.
This finding could have practical implications in daily life, for example potentially making it safer to open indoor gyms
"We know that the main route of transmission for coronavirus is via droplets in the breath and it's possible that breathing harder during exercise could facilitate transmission, especially indoors,” said Dr Elisabetta Salvioni from Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan, who led the study.
“Research suggests that wearing a mask may help prevent the spread of the disease, but there is no clear evidence on whether masks are safe to wear during vigorous exercise."
Researchers evaluated the performance of six men and six women who completed three bouts of strenuous exercise; one without a mask, a second while wearing a disposable mask and a third trial wearing a re-usable mask with a filter.
Test results showed wearing a mask impacted performance by an average of 10 per cent, a result deduced by measuring the cyclist’s VO2 max – or their highest oxygen uptake during intense exercise.
The study concluded the drop-off was a result of masks making it slightly harder to breathe, but was not detrimental to a level doctors considered unsafe.
"This reduction is modest and, crucially, it does not suggest a risk to healthy people doing exercise in a face mask, even when they are working to their highest capacity,” said Dr Massimo Mapelli, who took part in the testing.
“While we wait for more people to be vaccinated against Covid-19, this finding could have practical implications in daily life, for example potentially making it safer to open indoor gyms.”
Doctors in the UAE previously warned against using face masks while exercising to avoid the risk of people re-breathing exhaled carbon dioxide in the ‘dead space’ of a mask.
Rules on wearing masks during a workout vary across the country. While it is acceptable to remove a mask during exercise in Dubai, that is not the case in Abu Dhabi, where those not wearing a face-covering anywhere in a public place risk being fined.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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