A1 Journal article (refereed)
Prevalence of electrocardiographic markers associated with myocardial fibrosis in masters athletes : a cohort study (2024)


Kramer, T., Ventovuori, V., Heinonen, A., Parkkari, J., Korhonen, M. T., Rovio, A., Hoenemann, J.-N., Möstl, S., Sies, W., Kaiser-Stolz, C., Chilibeck, P., Tanaka, H., Kramer, M., Rittweger, J., & Hautala, A. J. (2024). Prevalence of electrocardiographic markers associated with myocardial fibrosis in masters athletes : a cohort study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(3), e001988. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001988


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsKramer, Tilmann; Ventovuori, Ville; Heinonen, Ari; Parkkari, Jari; Korhonen, Marko T; Rovio, Anja; Hoenemann, Jan-Niklas; Möstl, Stefan; Sies, Wolfram; Kaiser-Stolz, Claudia; et al.

Journal or seriesBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

eISSN2055-7647

Publication year2024

Volume10

Issue number3

Pages rangee001988

PublisherBMJ

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001988

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessOpen Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96923


Abstract

Objectives Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is associated with an increased predisposition to adverse cardiac events. The accumulation of high-volume and high-intensity exercise over an extended duration potentially increases the risk of MF. Specific electrocardiographic markers have been correlated with the presence of MF. This study assessed the prevalence of MF-related electrocardiographic markers in a Track and Field Master Athletics Cohort (TaFMAC).

Methods Twelve-lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) were conducted on 155 athletes (90 males and 65 females) participating in the World Masters Athletics 2022. The ECG markers associated with MF, including pathological Q waves, inverted T waves, fragmented QRS complex, and prolonged QRS complex, were compared among different athletic specialities (endurance athletes n=51, sprinters n=69 and strength and power n=35).

Results Overall, 71 instances of MF-related markers were identified from 155 ECG recordings (46%). Fragmented QRS emerged as the most common marker, with a prevalence of 29% in endurance and strength and power athletes, and 35% in sprinters. No significant group differences were observed in the prevalence of MF markers, whether analysed collectively (p=0.467) or individually (pathological Q waves p=0.367, inverted T waves p=0.309, fragmented QRS complex p=0.747 and prolonged QRS complex p=0.132).

Conclusions The prevalence of MF markers, as determined by resting ECG, was evident in nearly half of masters athletes, irrespective of sex and sporting specialisation. These findings suggest resting ECG as a promising non-invasive method for the early identification of MF in athlete’s hearts.


Keywordssportstrack and fieldathletesECGheart diseasestraining


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2024

Preliminary JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2025-16-01 at 20:06