NAROO Breathing Technology: Easy-breathing Face Covers Backed by Research Breathing is the heart of athletic activity. However, the air we breathe isn’t always what we need to power our activity. Athletes worldwide struggle with environmental issues that actually limit their ability to breath well and perform well, which include cold weather, pollution, pollen, UV rays, microbes, dust, and more. These issues can actually make lungs unable to process air and oxygen at their full capacity, thereby diminishing performance. In order to help athletes overcome their environments, we at NAROO have been researching breathing for the past 2 decades in order to be sure the air that athletes breathe isn’t preventing them from doing their best. Based on proven, tested technology, we provide innovative breathing solutions to protect athletes everywhere. Because we are also lifelong outdoors people, we make it a priority to talk with athletes and research their needs. Our years of exploration have led us to many technological innovations that help athletes tackle the heat, the cold, and particulates in the air. We constantly seek to answer important questions with technology-based answers. FILTERING TECHNOLOGY: MICRONET™ What is a filtering face mask? A mask that helps to filter out particulates in the air so that they are not inhaled can be considered a filtering face mask. These can come with replaceable filters or without. And how can filtering masks help? At NAROO, we have created a filterless series that not only filters dust, pollen, pollution, and other particles as small as 1.7μm (40x smaller than a human hair), but that is reusable and washable so that it can protect airways over and over again. NAROO MICRONET™ Benefits: Breathable during exercise Washable and reusable over 100 times No replacement filter needed, the special fabric and knit are the filter Filters pollen, dust and other particles as small as 1.7μm (40x smaller than a human hair) Moisture-wicking and quick-dry in wet or conditions But is a filtering mask necessary? Will a mask help with pollen, pollution, and dust? According to the American Lung Association, the air people breathe continues to be unhealthy due to issues like pollution, pollen, and dust. The same holds true for a significant portion of Europe’s population where ozone and other particulate matter pose serious health risks. When focusing on athletes, especially on marathon runners and cyclists training near highways and cities, the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that immediate effects from pollutants can deplete oxygen to tissues, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and make asthma, pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular disease potential long-term consequences. A viable solution for these serious pollution and dust effects is an effective filtering face mask like those of the NAROO F-Series. These are made for athletes and their increased respiration rates, outdoor exposure, increased sweating, exposure to heat and cold, and of course, to irritating particulates that can deteriorate performance and health. These masks can filter particles as small as 1.7μm, preventing most harmful particulates from the lungs, allowing for exercise in polluted climes and maximized performance. Table of Contents Is exercising with a mask dangerous? “Researchers at McMaster University in Canada…found no concerning signs of hypoxia, or reduced blood oxygen.” NAROO masks are developed for sports people and their increased need for oxygen intake, and allow for easy-breathing along with top-notch filtering capabilities. It is important to wash and clean the masks between each use to clear away particulates and reset the filter for maximum functioning and easy-breathing. No matter an athletes need, whether running with allergy, or a balaclava with a filter, or pollen season allergies, wearing a mask is a helpful solution to deal with environmental struggles. ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY: COPPER YARN What is copper-infused fabric? Shifting from technology specifically designed to tackle hot weather issues to copper-infused yarn and fabric, research proves that the unique antimicrobial properties make it the perfect material for filtering and particulate protection. NAROO weaves copper yarn into the F.U Plus Copper mask, using technology that has been trusted for centuries all over the world. Copper surfaces can kill germs on contact. This process prevents the copper from breaking off and makes the fabric reusable and dependable. Although the origins of copper fabric aren’t known, its benefits are well-documented. Copper-infused yarn can kill many bacteria, fungi, and viruses upon contact, helping to eliminate any of these that linger on the body. Those bacteria can also cause unpleasant odors during exercise that copper-infused yarn can help to eliminate. What makes the copper so powerful is that it is ionically bonded to the yarn, which means the copper will not flake into particles that can be inhaled and will remain strong over time. Is copper better than silver? Why choose copper over silver? Both metals can kill bacteria, so why did NAROO choose copper for its technological developments and high-tech face coverings? Silver requires moisture in order to effectively kill bacteria – copper is antimicrobial in wet and dry environments, making it more versatile and better able to serve athletes’ needs. What does copper yarn in the F.U Plus Copper help me? Not only does the F.U Plus Copper take the utmost advantage of copper’s antimicrobial properties, but it relies on the breathability of the knitted fabric, its moisture-wicking properties, and its functionality in hot and cold weather to create a comfortable, effective face covering for athletes in need of a filtering, antimicrobial mask. Copper is also great when used in fabric as it helps care for your skin by helping to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, thinning skin and other signs of ageing. It can also be helpful for dry or itchy skin. Paired with the breathability of the mask, the F.U Plus Copper is a multifunctional breathing solution for athletes all over the world across many different environments. NAROO F.U. Plus Copper Benefits: Breathable during exercise Antimicrobial copper yarn tested to kill microbes Washable and reusable over 100 times Copper is deodorizing and good for the skin Moisture-wicking and quick-dry in wet conditions 3D AIR-WARMING CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY: EX-BONE Why is breathing cold air in winter dangerous? It is common knowledge that
When we think of breathing freely and the best conditions to do so, those conditions most certainly don’t include a covering over our noses or mouths. In fact, itsounds downright stifling to cover our faces during exercise. But the conditions of freezing winter can often make it necessary to cover up or be left with asthma-like symptoms and difficulty breathing – this leaves us struggling to do the outdoor activities we love. Why does exercising in cold air hurt? The lungs are made to process warm, humid air. This is how they best perform their function of intaking air, transforming it into something our bodies can use, and expelling unneeded air. When we exercise in the cold winter months, our lungs suffer because cold air may cause bronchial irritation leading to wheezing, coughing, and that painful burning feeling. Even without the increased pace of breathing during exercise, breathing during relaxed outdoor activities can be painful. But when we increase our rhythm of breathing, it can make all of these wintertime symptoms worse. You’re putting much more dry, freezing air into your lungs that are made to process warm, humid air. Also, your airways are made to humidify and warm the air as it travels through your nasal passageways and through your mouth, throat, and down into your lungs. Breathing cold air makes your respiratory system work a lot harder to warm the air and dries out your mucous membranes that help moisten the air. This can be dangerous for not only your lungs, but your other organs as they receive less air. All of these different factors create that painful burning sensation and difficulty breathing. None of these are conducive to high-performance exercise. In fact, they decrease our ability to get in a good work out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAROO MASK | Official (@naroomask_global) View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAROO MASK | Official (@naroomask_global) How do I exercise safely in the winter? There are several factors that can aid in safely exercising in the winter. 1. Warmth. Dress warmly. Cover your face head, neck, and body so that you will not lose body heat while you exercise. The loss of heat can lead to hypothermia which then causes many other potentially dangerous issues. 2. Cover your airways. Almost any covering will help to humidify and warm the air as you breathe. It seems paradoxical to cover your airways in order to breathe more freely. But, the science proves it. Covering your airways makes it possible for us to head outside. Although you can use almost any covering to help your lungs in the winter, many coverings make it harder to take full breaths, they are uncomfortable, and they press against your face and get into your mouth. Athletes have specific needs that include breathing comfort and the ability to draw full breaths to power their exercise with oxygen. They need sports masks designed for people who exercise. A mask like NAROO’s Z9H is a great option for athletes. Here’s what it does: Humidifies and moistens the air Covers the head, ears, face, and neck to maximize warmth, UV protection, and wind protection EX | BONE (an apparatus that creates an air warming chamber) that keeps the cloth comfortably off your nose and mouth The EX | BONE can also be used with EX | HALE to prevent goggles and glasses from fogging up A zipper to let as little or as much air and wind into the mask as you wish Prevents the mask from slipping by using a combination of elastic fabric and stitching along with a moldable nose clip. If you’re in the market for a lighter mask, the Z5H has many of the same qualities as the Z9H but isn’t quite as thick. It will also protect your airways from that horrible burning and help you enjoy your outdoor exercise. Always remember though, use your discretion. If you’re hurting, or your doctor suggests to avoid outdoor activity, please listen. But if you’re ready to head outdoors, please do consider taking NAROO with you. We’ll keep your airways covered while you enjoy your exercise. Check out the Z9H and the Z5H. Don’t let the winter paradox stop you from exercise. NAROO’s sports masks won’t hinder you. They’ll set you free.