[Microvolt T-wave alternans in adolescent elite athletes]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Sports Medicine
• Electrophysiology

Context:

• Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTA) is a marker for myocardial electrical instability.
• Elite adolescent athletes undergo rigorous training, necessitating monitoring for overtraining.

Purpose:

• To determine the normal range of MTA parameters during bicycle exercise tests (ET) in adolescent elite athletes.
• To assess the diagnostic utility of MTA in identifying overtraining in this population.

Summary:

• This study analyzed MTA in 500 elite adolescent athletes (ages 9-18) using ECG during bicycle ET.
• The normal MTA range during ET was established as 9-51 mV.
• MTA values above 65 mV were observed in 2.1% of athletes, with 50% of these cases indicating overtraining, demonstrating high specificity (99%) but low sensitivity (21%) for overtraining detection.

Impact:

• Establishes normative MTA values for adolescent elite athletes during exercise.
• Highlights MTA's potential as a specific, albeit sensitive, biomarker for overtraining in young athletes.
• Findings can inform clinical monitoring and training protocols for young athletes to prevent overexertion and optimize performance.