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. 2020 Dec 22;48(288):387-390.

[ECG abnormalities in athletes as compare to healthy subjects]

[Article in Polish]
Izabela Poddębska  1 , Piotr Kosielski  2 , Szymon Gałczyński  2 , Krzysztof Wranicz  1 , Iwona Cygankiewicz  1 , Krzysztof Kaczmarek  1
Affiliations
  • PMID: 33387423

[ECG abnormalities in athletes as compare to healthy subjects]

[Article in Polish]
Izabela Poddębska et al. Pol Merkur Lekarski. .

Abstract

Physical exercise promotes structural heart adaptation and increased parasympathetic autonomous activity in athletes. Some reports indicate that sinus bradycardia can promote occurrence of arrhythmias in athletes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the 12-lead surface ECG findings and arrhythmias/conduction disturbances detected in ambulatory ECG monitoring (AECG) between amateur athletes and healthy subject and to investigate relationship between bradycardia and arrhythmias.

Materials and methods: Studied population included 34 athletes (29M, 5F, av. age 29±8yrs) and a control group of 34 healthy volunteers (29M, 5F, av. age 30±8yrs). 12-lead surface ECG and 24-hour AECG were performed in order to evaluate heart rate and arrhythmia/conduction disturbances in two groups.

Results: The athletes group was characterized by lower heart rate (med.59 vs.70 bpm, p<0.001), longer PR interval (med. 174 vs. 150 msec, p=0.007) and longer QTcF interval (med. 403 vs. 395 msec, p=0.026), with no statistically difference in QRS duration (med. 99 vs. 102 msec, p=0.699). Voltage criteria of LVH were observed in 10/34 (29%) of athletes and in 1 (2.94%) healthy subject. Four athletes (12%) showed first degree AV block. Similarly to ECG findings, AECG showed lower HR values (med. 66 vs.74 bpm, p<0.001) in athletes than in healthy subjects. Sinus bradycardia (<60bpm) was observed in 26% of athletes and 0% of controls (p=0.042). Ventricular arrhythmia was observed in 62% of athletes and 50% of healthy controls (p=0.464). No difference in occurrence of APBs was observed between studied groups (88% vs. 91%). Differences between occurrence of arrhythmias in athletes with lower HR (<60bpm) compared to those with higher did not reach statistical significance (VPBs: 6/9 vs. 15/25, p = 0.963; APBs: 9/9 vs 21/29, p = 0.5).

Conclusions: Bradycardia does not promote ventricular neither atrial arrhythmias in athletes.

Keywords: athletes; athletes’ heart; bradycardia; cardiac arrhythmias.

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