Study of electrocardiographic changes in Egyptian top athletes

Sixty well-trained Egyptian top athletes participated in this study. Electrocardiographic [ECG] tracings at rest showed a resting heart rate that ranged from 48 to 65 beats/minute with a mean value of 56 + 2.8 and 28.33% incidence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]. The results showed 53.33% right axis deviation and 40% left axis deviation with 6.67% normal axis. In addition, 38.33% of the athletes showed horizontal position of the heart; while 61.67% showed a vertical position. Data also revealed normal, prolonged P-R and prolonged Q-T intervals in 5%, 95%, and 80% of athletes, respectively. Elevated S-T segment was present in 20% of the cases; while depressed S-T occurred in 13.33% with an isoelectric S-T segment in 66.67%. Hypertrophic right ventricle was seen in 46.67% of the cases, while hypertrophic left ventricle occurred in 33.33%. Bundle branch block [BBB] was detected in 19 subjects [31.67%]. Inverted T was found in 12 subjects [20%]. These changes were considered normal in athletes because they occur as a sort of adaptation of the hearts of athletic subjects to the physical training programs