Sex differences in the physiological and perceptual responses to face masks during exercise.

Despite consistent evidence that face masks (FMs) increase dyspnea during exercise, few studies have examined the sex differences in the physiological and perceptual responses to FMs. In a randomized, cross-over design, 32 healthy individuals (16 female;23±3yr) completed incremental cycling tests on two visits with either no mask or a surgical FM. Dyspnea intensity and unpleasantness were assessed using the 0-10 category-ratio Borg scale.

Sex differences in exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and pulmonary edema following high-intensity exercise in highly trained endurance athletes.

This study investigated sex differences in the development of pulmonary edema and exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) in well-trained endurance athletes during near-maximal exercise in a real-world setting. Twenty participants (10M vs. 10F; V̇Opeak: 69.

Multidimensional assessment of exertional dyspnea in young healthy males and females who select unsatisfied inspiration at peak exercise.

Historically, it was thought that healthy humans predominantly described their breathing as a sense of increased work or effort (W/E) during maximal exercise. However, emerging data show that many healthy adults select unpleasant dyspnea descriptors such as "unsatisfied inspiration" (UI), with relatively more females selecting UI than males. We hypothesized that males and females who select UI would report higher dyspnea intensity ratings during exercise, select more distressing dyspnea qualities post exercise, and have greater inspiratory constraints than those who do not.

A Brief Alcohol Intervention (BAI) to reduce alcohol use and improve PrEP outcomes among men who have sex with men in Vietnam: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In Vietnam and other global settings, men who have sex with men (MSM) have become the population at greatest risk of HIV infection. Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been implemented as a prevention strategy, PrEP outcomes may be affected by low persistence and adherence among MSM with unhealthy alcohol use. MSM have a high prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use in Vietnam, which may affect PrEP outcomes.

Scaling up a brief alcohol intervention to prevent HIV infection in Vietnam: a cluster randomized, implementation trial.

Background: Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often address normative behaviors. If a behavior is also common among clinicians, they may be skeptical about the necessity or effectiveness of an EBI. Alternatively, clinicians' attitudes and behaviors may be misaligned, or they may lack the knowledge and self-efficacy to deliver the EBI.