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Electrocardiographic findings in athletic students and sedentary controls
H Bjørnstad1, L Storstein, H D Meen
1Medical Department B, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Norway.
Cardiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Athletic training significantly alters resting electrocardiograms (ECGs), leading to lower heart rates and distinct voltage changes. These training-induced ECG modifications may necessitate revised criteria for diagnosing conditions like left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) are crucial for assessing cardiac health.
- Understanding training-induced ECG variations is vital for accurate interpretation in athletes.
- Previous research indicates physiological differences in athletes' cardiac function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare resting ECG parameters between athletic students and sedentary controls.
- To identify specific ECG changes associated with athletic training.
- To evaluate the implications of these changes for cardiac health assessment in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Computerized analysis of 52 ECG parameters from 1,299 athletic students and 151 matched sedentary controls.
- Data collected from a single laboratory between 1973-1982.
- Comparison of ECG findings between the athletic and control groups.
Main Results:
- Athletes exhibited significantly lower heart rates, longer PQ times, and prolonged QTc intervals.
- Athletes showed higher QRS amplitudes, increased ventricular hypertrophy indices (Sokolow-Lyon, Grant), and elevated ST elevation and T wave amplitudes.
- Sinus bradycardia was more prevalent in athletes; other rhythm disturbances were infrequent and comparable between groups, except for rare non-sinus rhythms in athletes.
Conclusions:
- Athletic training induces significant, measurable changes in heart rate, conduction, and ECG voltage.
- These training-induced ECG alterations are likely influenced by autonomic tone and myocardial structural changes.
- Current criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy may require re-evaluation for athletic populations to avoid misdiagnosis.