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Abnormal electrocardiographic findings in athletes: Correlation with intensity of sport and level of competition.

Dores, H; Malhotra, A; Sheikh, N; Millar, L; Dhutia, H; Narain, R; Merghani, A; Papadakis, M; Sharma, S (2016) Abnormal electrocardiographic findings in athletes: Correlation with intensity of sport and level of competition. Rev Port Cardiol, 35 (11). pp. 593-600. ISSN 2174-2030 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.repc.2016.04.012
SGUL Authors: Papadakis, Michael Malhotra, Aneil Sharma, Sanjay

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Athletes can exhibit abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) phenotypes that require further evaluation prior to competition. These are apparently more prevalent in high-intensity endurance sports. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between ECG findings in athletes and intensity of sport and level of competition. METHODS: A cohort of 3423 competitive athletes had their ECGs assessed according to the Seattle criteria (SC). The presence of abnormal ECGs was correlated with: (1) intensity of sport (low/moderate vs. at least one high static or dynamic component); (2) competitive level (regional vs. national/international); (3) training volume (≤20 vs. >20 hours/week); (4) type of sport (high dynamic vs. high static component). The same endpoints were studied according to the 'Refined Criteria' (RC). RESULTS: Abnormal ECGs according to the SC were present in 225 (6.6%) athletes, more frequently in those involved in high-intensity sports (8.0% vs. 5.4%; p=0.002), particularly in dynamic sports, and competing at national/international level (7.1% vs. 4.9%; p=0.028). Training volume was not significantly associated with abnormal ECGs. By multivariate analysis, high-intensity sport (OR 1.55, 1.18-2.03; p=0.002) and national/international level (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04-2.14; p=0.027) were independent predictors of abnormal ECGs, and these variables, when combined, doubled the prevalence of this finding. According to the RC, abnormal ECGs decreased to 103 (3.0%), but were also more frequent in high-intensity sports (4.2% vs. 2.0%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive correlation between higher intensity of sports and increased prevalence of ECG abnormalities. This relationship persists with the use of more restrictive criteria for ECG interpretation, although the number of abnormal ECGs is lower.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: © 2016 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. Under a Creative Commons license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Keywords: Athletes, Atletas, Competitive level, Electrocardiogram, Eletrocardiograma, Nível competitivo, Tipo de desporto, Type of sport, Adolescent, Adult, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Athletes, Athletic Performance, Cohort Studies, Electrocardiography, Humans, Physical Endurance, Sports, Young Adult, Humans, Electrocardiography, Cohort Studies, Physical Endurance, Sports, Adolescent, Adult, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Athletes, Electrocardiogram, Athletes, Type of sport, Competitive level, Young Adult, Cardiovascular System & Hematology
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: Academic Structure > Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute (MCS)
Journal or Publication Title: Rev Port Cardiol
ISSN: 2174-2030
Language: eng por
Dates:
DateEvent
November 2016Published
29 September 2016Published Online
4 April 2016Accepted
Publisher License: Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0
PubMed ID: 27693111
Web of Science ID: WOS:000388355400006
Go to PubMed abstract
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/108405
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.repc.2016.04.012

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