Key result
12-hour Holter ECG monitoring in athletes demonstrated fewer arrhythmias than a normal population, with sinus respiratory arrhythmia in 91% and premature contractions in 6.2%.
Why the study?
What is the frequency and quality of rhythm disturbances detected by 12-hour Holter ECG monitoring in athletes during the late recovery period following a training session?
Observational (n=32)
What is the frequency and quality of rhythm disturbances detected by 12-hour Holter ECG monitoring in athletes during the late recovery period following a training session?
12-hour Holter monitoring in athletes during late recovery shows common benign ECG findings like sinus bradycardia and respiratory arrhythmia, with fewer overall arrhythmias than the general population.
Reassures on low arrhythmia rates in athletes during recovery; leaves open need for controlled prospective studies.
The purpose of the study was to detect the frequency and quality of rhythm disturbances in athletes during the late recovery period following a training session. Thirty-two athletes volunteered to participate. The ECG tracing was recorded by the use of a one-channel 12-h portable electrocardiograph cassette recorder. All subjects were instructed to keep a diary of symptoms and activities, and to record the onset of sleep and waking time. The tapes were analyzed using a rapid scanner with digital circuit for arrhythmia detection. Samples of all arrhythmic events were recorded for further analysis. The data from fitness testing, PWC170 and VO2max were higher than the mean values for active people of the same age group. The most common feature observed in our subjects, as expected, was sinus bradycardia. Most (91%) had a mild or pronounced sinus respiratory arrhythmia. Isolated atrial or ventricular premature contractions were observed in 6.2% of the subjects, intermittent first degree A-V block and second degree A-V block with Wenckebach periods were observed in 3.1%, high T-waves were found in 43.5%, and high take-off of ST segments were found in 53%. No symptoms, such as chest pain or palpitation, were recorded. The average heart rate when awake or asleep, including the longest RR interval, did not differ from the results of healthy individuals. The arrhythmias observed in our athletes were fewer than those reported in a normal population.
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Hanne-Paparo et al. (1981) conducted an observational in Healthy athletes (n=32). 12-hour Holter ECG monitoring vs. Normal population was evaluated on Frequency and quality of rhythm disturbances. 12-hour Holter ECG monitoring in athletes demonstrated fewer arrhythmias than a normal population, with sinus respiratory arrhythmia in 91% and premature contractions in 6.2%.
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