An ultramarathon race did not induce acute atrial dysfunction in master athletes, and exercise-induced arrhythmias were rare, despite 97% having ≥1 premature atrial beat over 24 hours.
Observational
Does running an ultramarathon induce acute atrial dysfunction or supraventricular arrhythmias in master athletes?
Running a 50-km ultramarathon does not induce acute atrial dysfunction or significant exercise-induced supraventricular arrhythmias in healthy master athletes.
BACKGROUND: Endurance sports practice has significantly increased over the last decades, with a growing proportion of master athletes. However, concerns exist regarding the potential proarrhythmic effects induced by ultra-endurance sports. This study aimed to analyse the acute effects of an ultramarathon race on atrial remodelling and supraventricular arrhythmias in a population of master athletes. METHODS: Master athletes participating in an ultramarathon (50 km, 600 m of elevation gain) with no history of heart disease were recruited. A single-lead ECG was recorded continuously from the day before to the end of the race. Echocardiography and 12-lead resting ECG were performed before and immediately at the end of the race. RESULTS: < 0.0001). Most of the athletes (97%) had ≥1 premature atrial beats (PAB) during the 24-h monitoring, also organised in triplets (17%) and non-sustained supraventricular tachycardias (NSSVTs) (19%). In contrast, exercise-induced PABs, triplets, and NSSVTs were rare. One athlete developed acute atrial fibrillation during the race. After the race, no significant differences were found in biatrial dimensions. Biatrial function, estimated by peak atrial longitudinal and contraction strains, were normal both before and after the race. CONCLUSIONS: In master athletes running an ultramarathon, acute exercise-induced atrial dysfunction was not detected, and exercise-induced supraventricular arrhythmias were uncommon. These results did not confirm the hypothesis of an acute atrial dysfunction induced by ultra-endurance exercise.
Cavigli et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Master athletes with no history of heart disease. Ultramarathon race vs. Baseline (before the race) was evaluated on Acute atrial remodelling and supraventricular arrhythmias. An ultramarathon race did not induce acute atrial dysfunction in master athletes, and exercise-induced arrhythmias were rare, despite 97% having ≥1 premature atrial beat over 24 hours.