Effects of exercise on PR intervals, QRS durations and QTC intervals in male and female students of University of Abuja

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of exercise on Electrocardiogram (ECG) variables in students of University of Abuja, and gender variation of these variables was compared. Forty medical students were considered (22 males and 18 females), ages 18-30 years. The volunteers were subjected to exercise stress test by using bicycle ergometer. They exercised till exhaustion or attainment of 85% Heart Rate Maximum (HRmax) (Modified McArdle Protocol). ECGwas recorded pre and post-exercise. QTcintervals pre and post-exercise were 386.55 +/- 4.4ms and 415.82 +/- 4.89ms (range: 346 - 468ms) in males and 399.39 +/- 4.81ms and 409.11 +/- 4.44ms (range: 367 - 446ms) in females respectively. QTC was significantly raised post-exercise in male subjects. PR interval pre and postexercise were 153 +/- 5.09ms and 154.75 +/- 3.35ms (range: 116 - 206ms) in males and 160.44 +/- 6.5ms and 153.33 +/- 4.53ms (range: 116 - 243ms) in females respectively. QRS duration pre and post-exercise were found to be 90.86 +/- 0.97ms and 94.09 +/- 2.09ms (range: 83 - 122ms) in males and 87.44 +/- 1.36ms and 88.89 +/- 2.06ms (range: 80 - 113ms) in females respectively.