Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Athletic Individuals | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 82, Volume 98, Issue 1, January 2025, Page 563-569 PDF (362.56 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.407902 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are common among athletes due to cardiac adaptations induced by regular physical training. These changes, often benign, can mimic pathological findings, creating challenges in differentiating physiological adaptations from underlying cardiovascular disease. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of ECG changes in athletes can aid in refining cardiovascular screening strategies. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in athletic individuals and correlate these abnormalities with the type of exercise performed. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 164 athletes aged 18–40 years, divided equally into aerobic (n=82) and anaerobic (n=82) exercise groups. Participants underwent detailed clinical assessments and 12-lead ECG evaluations at rest, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise. ECG parameters were analyzed for training-related and unrelated changes. Results: All participants exhibited ECG changes (100%), with 97.6% training-related and 22.6% training-unrelated. Bradycardia was the most common abnormality (78.7%), followed by early repolarization (66.5%) and incomplete right bundle branch block (51.8%). Anaerobic athletes exhibited significantly higher first-degree AV block (35.4% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.001) and early repolarization (78.0% vs. 54.9%, p = 0.002). Anterior T-wave inversion occurred exclusively in the anaerobic group (11.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.003). ECG changes correlated with type of exercise, reflecting distinct physiological adaptations. Conclusion: ECG abnormalities are prevalent among athletes, with most being benign and training-related. Anaerobic exercise is associated with a higher prevalence of specific ECG changes, highlighting the need for tailored cardiovascular evaluations in athletic populations. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Electrocardiography; Athletes; Bradycardia; Early Repolarization; Exercise Physiology | ||||
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