ExAero: Aerosol emission during exercise in relation to lung function, age and body weight

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Research need: SARS-CoV-2 superspreader events have occurred during indoor high-intensity exercise such as fitness dance or spinning classes. During exercise, respiratory ventilation can increase from 5-10 l/min at rest to 200 l/min in some elite athletes. How such an increase in ventilation affects aerosol emission is currently unknown. Aim: The aim of the proposed project is to answer two research questions:1) How many aerosol particles are produced at rest and at different exercise intensities and what is the size distribution of the aerosols? 2) Are lung function (as determined by lung function testing and impulse oscillometry), age, BMI associated with respiratory aerosol production at rest and during exercise?Methods: We will recruit 40 females and males of different ages, which have either normal body weight or are overweight/obese. All subjects will perform lung function, impulse oscillometry testing at baseline and standard anthropometric and other data will be obtained at baseline. Subjects will then perform a graded exercise during which exercise intensity variables, as well as aerosol emission (numbers & size distribution), will be measured. We will then associate lung function and other variables with aerosol emission at rest and at different exercise intensities. Expected outcomes: This experiment will generate much-needed data to assess and model aerosol emission and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk during indoor exercise e.g. in fitness centres, sports halls or swimming pools.