Article

Broad criteria for abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings,
requiring additional testing, have been recommended for preparticipation exams
(PPE) of athletes. As these criteria have not considered the sport in which
athletes participate, we examined the effect of sports on the computerized ECG
measurements obtained in college athletes. METHODS: During the Stanford 2007 PPE,
computerized 12-lead ECGs (Schiller AG) were obtained in 641 athletes (350
male/291 female, age 19.5 +/- 2 years). Athletes were engaged in 22 different
sports and were grouped into 16 categories: baseball/softball, basketball, crew,
crosscountry, fencing, field events, football linemen, football other positions,
golf, gymnastics, racquet sports, sailing, track/field, volleyball, water sports,
and wrestling. The analysis focused on ECG leads V2, aVF and V5 which provide a
three-dimensional representation of the heart's electrical activity. As marked
ECG differences exist between males and females, the data are presented by
gender. RESULTS: In males, ANOVA analysis yielded significant ECG differences
between sports for heart rate, QRS duration, QTc, J-amplitude in V2 and V5,
spatial vector length (SVL) of the P wave, SVL R wave, and SVL T wave, and
RS(sum) (p < 0.05). In females ECG differences between sports were found for
heart rate, QRS duration, QRS axis and SVL T wave (p < 0.05). Poor correlations
were found between body dimensions and ECG measurements (r < 0.50). CONCLUSIONS:
Significant ECG changes exist between college athletes participating in different
sports, and these differences were more apparent in males than females.
Therefore, sport-specific ECG criteria for abnormal ECG findings should be
developed to obtain a more useful approach to ECG screening in athletes.

Langue : ANGLAIS