Some Face Masks Claim to Improve Endurance Performance by Restricting How Much Air You Get Ashley Mateo In 2020, we all had to get used to running with a mask on our face. It was hot; it was uncomfortable; but could it have performance benefits? Unfortunately, wearing a surgical or cotton mask had no effect on performance or muscle oxygen levels, according to research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health>>>P. As hard as it feels to wear one, running in a mask that protects against COVID-19 isn’t going to turn you into an elite runner.