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 editors: Kramer, 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 series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
eISSN: 2055-7647
Publication year: 2024
Volume: 10
Issue number: 3
Pages range: e001988
Publisher: BMJ
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001988
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96923
Abstract
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.
Keywords: sports; track and field; athletes; ECG; heart diseases; training
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1