A1 Journal article (refereed)
Resting electrocardiogram and blood pressure in young athletes and nonathletes : A 4-year follow-up (2022)

Pentikäinen, H., Toivo, K., Kokko, S., Alanko, L., Heinonen, O. J., Nylander, T., Selänne, H., Vasankari, T., Kujala, U. M., Villberg, J., Parkkari, J., & Savonen, K. (2022). Resting electrocardiogram and blood pressure in young athletes and nonathletes : A 4-year follow-up. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 42(3), 200-207. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12747

JYU authors or editors

Kokko, Sami
Kujala, Urho
Villberg, Jari
Parkkari, Jari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Pentikäinen, Heikki; Toivo, Kerttu; Kokko, Sami; Alanko, Lauri; Heinonen, Olli J.; Nylander, Tiina; Selänne, Harri; Vasankari, Tommi; Kujala, Urho M.; Villberg, Jari; et al.

Journal or series: Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging

ISSN: 1475-0961

eISSN: 1475-097X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 18/02/2022

Volume: 42

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 200-207

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12747

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79895

Abstract

A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in a 4-year follow-up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs (SC) in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data participated in this observational follow-up study. Those who maintained or adopted SC participation are referred to as “Always athletes” (n=137), those who never participated in SC as “Never athletes” (n=108) and those who dropped out of SC during the follow-up as “Changers” (n=116). The mean age of the participants was 15.5 (0.6) years in all study groups at baseline. Resting ECG including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis and QT interval and BP were measured from all participants at baseline and after follow-up. “Always athletes” had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude than “Never athletes” at baseline and at 4-years (P < 0.05). “Changers” had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude, systolic BP and pulse pressure than “Never athletes” at baseline (P < 0.05). None of the observed differences at baseline, were visible at 4-years (P > 0.05) except the difference in T-wave axis (P = 0.028). The significant group x time interaction between “Changers” and “Never athletes” was found for QRS amplitude (P = 0.017). Adolescent athletes have several training-induced cardiovascular adaptations, which return towards the levels of non-athletes after cessation of regular training.

Keywords: young people; athletes; state of health; circulatory system; heart; ECG; blood pressure