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
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
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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: |
Date | Event |
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November 2016 | Published | 29 September 2016 | Published Online | 4 April 2016 | Accepted |
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Publisher License: |
Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 |
PubMed ID: |
27693111 |
Web of Science ID: |
WOS:000388355400006 |
![](http://static.pubmed.gov/portal/portal3rc.fcgi/2745237/img/27842) |
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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