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Allwood RP. Apicolateral bulge: A potential mimic of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a professional athlete-A case report and literature review. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2024; 52:1226-1234. [PMID: 39021260 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with over 265 million active players and approximately 0.05% professional players worldwide. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has made preparticipation screening recommendations which involve electrocardiography and echocardiography being performed prior to international competition. The aim of preparticipation cardiovascular screening in young athletes is to detect asymptomatic individuals with cardiovascular disease at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The incidence of SCD in young athletes (age≤ 35 years) is 0.6-3.6 in 100,000 persons/year, with most deaths due to cardiovascular causes. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is one of the leading causes of SCD in young athletes. It is a genetic disease characterized by progressive fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium with variable phenotypic expression. Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling in conjunction with extensive T-wave inversion raises concern for ARVC. This case report and literature review explores a potential mimic for ARVC, the role of cardiovascular screening in sport, and the use of a multimodality approach for risk stratification and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Allwood
- Cardiology Department, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Cavarretta E, D'Ascenzi F, Bianco M, Castelletti S, Cavigli L, Cecchi F, D'Andrea A, De Luca A, Di Salvo G, Nistri S, Palamà Z, Palmieri V, Ricci F, Sinagra G, Zorzi A, Biffi A, Pelliccia A, Romano S, Dello Russo A, Zeppilli P, Patrizi G, Sciarra L. The role of echocardiography in sports cardiology: An expert opinion statement of the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology (SIC sport). Int J Cardiol 2024; 410:132230. [PMID: 38852859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is routinely required during pre-participation screening in the presence of symptoms, family history of sudden cardiac death or cardiomyopathies <40-year-old, murmurs, abnormal ECG findings or in the follow-up of athletes with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). TTE is a cost-effective first-line imaging modality to evaluate the cardiac remodeling due to long-term, intense training, previously known as the athlete's heart, and to rule out the presence of conditions at risk of sudden cardiac death, including cardiomyopathies, coronary artery anomalies, congenital, aortic and heart valve diseases. Moreover, TTE is useful for distinguishing physiological cardiac adaptations during intense exercise from pathological behavior due to an underlying CVD. In this expert opinion statement endorsed by the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology, we discussed common clinical scenarios where a TTE is required and conditions falling in the grey zone between the athlete's heart and underlying cardiomyopathies or other CVD. In addition, we propose a minimum dataset that should be included in the report for the most common indications of TTE in sports cardiology clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cavarretta
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy; Advanced Cardiovascular Therapies Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Flavio D'Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Sports Cardiology and Rehab Unit, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bianco
- Sports Medicine Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Unit of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Castelletti
- Department of Cardiology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Luna Cavigli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Sports Cardiology and Rehab Unit, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Franco Cecchi
- Department of Cardiology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonello D'Andrea
- Department of Cardiology and Intensive Coronary Care, Umberto I Hospital, 84014 Nocera Inferiore, Italy
| | - Antonio De Luca
- Cardiothoracovascular Department, Division of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina and University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Salvo
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Paediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Nistri
- CMSR Veneto Medica, 36077 Altavilla Vicentina, VI, Italy
| | - Zefferino Palamà
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, Italy; Electrophysiology Unit, Casa di Cura "Villa Verde", Taranto, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Palmieri
- Sports Medicine Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Unit of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ricci
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G.d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi, 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Heart Department, SS. Annunziata Hospital, ASL 2 Abruzzo, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Cardiothoracovascular Department, Division of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina and University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Biffi
- Med-Ex, Medicine and Exercise srl, Medical Partner Scuderia Ferrari, RomeMaranello, MO, Italy
| | - Antonio Pelliccia
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvio Romano
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, Italy
| | - Antonio Dello Russo
- Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Zeppilli
- Sports Medicine Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Unit of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giampiero Patrizi
- Department of Cardiology, B. Ramazzini Hospital, Ausl Modena, Carpi, Italy
| | - Luigi Sciarra
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, piazzale Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, Italy
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Pytka MJ, Domin RA, Żołyński MS, Niziński J, Krauze T, Wykrętowicz A, Guzik P. Sex differences in the associations between right heart structure and peak exercise capacity parameters in amateur cyclists. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1427101. [PMID: 39135708 PMCID: PMC11318071 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1427101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Right heart changes and their association with exercise capacity, including sex differences, are still being investigated. We analysed right heart structure and its relationship with exercise capacity parameters in amateur cyclists. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study involving 215 consecutive adult amateur cyclists, who underwent resting transthoracic echocardiography and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to exhaustion was performed. Results: The median age of participants was 29 years (IQR 24-37), 71% of them were men. The mean training time was 6 h/week, and 90% participated in vigorous or moderate physical activity. Men had larger right ventricular diameters (basal - RVD1, mid-cavity - RVD2 and longitudinal - RVD3) compared to women (40.9 vs. 37.6 mm, p = 0.0005, 28.7 vs. 26.3 mm, p = 0.03, 92.2 vs. 81.9 mm, p < 0.0001). Indexing for body surface area revealed comparable right atrial volume (RAVI) between sexes (24.1 vs. 22.7 mL/m2). Men achieved higher peak exercise capacity parameters [O2 pulse, oxygen consumption (VO2) and workload] in CPET. Multivariate linear regression models revealed a positive association between peak VO2, workload and O2 pulse with RAVI in women but not with RVD1 or RVD3. Conversely, these parameters showed a positive association with RVD3 and RVD1 but not with RAVI in men. Conclusion: Sex differences exist in the relationship between right heart structural parameters and peak exercise capacity descriptors in amateur cyclists. Better exercise capacity during CPET to exhaustion is associated with greater RAVI in women but a greater RVD1 and RVD3 in men. These findings suggest different mechanisms of right heart adaptation to training in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Jakub Pytka
- Department of Cardiology–Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Remigiusz Andrzej Domin
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mikołaj Stanisław Żołyński
- Department of Cardiology–Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jan Niziński
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Krauze
- Department of Cardiology–Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wykrętowicz
- Department of Cardiology–Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Przemysław Guzik
- Department of Cardiology–Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- University Centre for Sports and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Lander BS, Duffy EY, Hennessey JA, Tolani S, Patel N, Bohnen MS, Hsu JJ, Danielian A, Shah AB, Goolsby M, Martinez MW, Phelan D, Engel DJ. Electrocardiographic Findings in Female Professional Basketball Athletes. JAMA Cardiol 2024; 9:475-479. [PMID: 38506880 PMCID: PMC10955342 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Importance Previous studies of professional basketball athletes have characterized manifestations of athletic remodeling by echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) in males and echocardiography in females. There is a paucity of female, basketball-specific ECG data. Objective To generate reference range ECG data for female professional basketball athletes. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a cross-sectional study of ECGs performed on female professional basketball athletes. The Women's National Basketball Association mandates annual preseason ECGs and echocardiograms for each athlete and has partnered with Columbia University Irving Medical Center to annually review these studies. Data for this study were collected during preseason ECG and echocardiography cardiac screening between April and May 2022. Data analysis was performed between February and July 2023. Exposure Athlete ECGs and echocardiograms were sent to Columbia University Irving Medical Center for core lab analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures Quantitative ECG variables were measured. ECG data were qualitatively analyzed for training-related and abnormal findings using the International Recommendations for Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes. Findings from ECGs were compared with corresponding echocardiographic data. Results There were a total of 173 athletes (mean [SD] age 26.5 [4.1] years; mean [SD] height, 183.4 [9.1] cm; mean [SD] body surface area, 2.0 [0.2] m2), including 129 Black athletes (74.5%) and 40 White athletes (23.1%). By international criteria, 136 athletes (78.6%) had training-related ECG changes and 8 athletes (4.6%) had abnormal ECG findings. Among athletes with at least 1 training-related ECG finding, left ventricular structural adaptations associated with athletic remodeling were present in 64 athletes (47.1%). Increased relative wall thickness, reflecting concentric left ventricular geometry, was more prevalent in athletes with the repolarization variant demonstrating convex ST elevation combined with T-wave inversions in leads V1 to V4 (6 of 12 athletes [50.0%]) than in athletes with early repolarization (5 of 42 athletes [11.9%]) (odds ratio, 7.40; 95% CI, 1.71-32.09; P = .01). Abnormal ECG findings included T-wave inversions (3 athletes [1.7%]), Q waves (2 athletes [1.2%]), prolonged QTc interval (2 athletes [1.2%]), and frequent premature ventricular contractions (1 athlete [0.6%]). Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study provides reference ECG data for elite female basketball athletes. International criteria-defined training-related findings were common, whereas abnormal ECG findings were rare in this athlete group. These reference data may assist basketball programs and health care professionals using ECGs in screening for female athletes and may be used as a stimulus for future female-specific ECG inquiries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S. Lander
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospitals Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Eamon Y. Duffy
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jessica A. Hennessey
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Sonia Tolani
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Nidhi Patel
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael S. Bohnen
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jeffrey J. Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alfred Danielian
- Las Vegas Heart Associates–Affiliated With Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Ankit B. Shah
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Marci Goolsby
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | | | - Dermot Phelan
- Sports Cardiology Center, Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - David J. Engel
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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McHugh C, Petek B, Grant AJ, Gustus S, van Dyk N, Hind K, Wilson F, Wasfy M. ECG findings in professional rugby players using international screening recommendations. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2024; 10:e001813. [PMID: 38562152 PMCID: PMC10982795 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While World Rugby guidelines do not mandate the inclusion of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for all players, this is required for entry into international rugby competitions. We, therefore, sought to describe sport-specific normative ECG values and evaluate the performance of contemporary athlete ECG guidelines in male and female professional rugby players. Methods We retrospectively analysed professional rugby players' ECGs (n=356, male 79%) obtained during preparticipation screening (2010-2022), comparing by sex and playing position (forwards vs backs). ECGs were categorised as normal 'training-related', borderline and abnormal findings, as defined by the 2017 International Recommendations. Results 84% of players had one or more normal, 'training-related' findings, with males having a higher prevalence than females (91% vs 60%, p<0.001). Most ECG findings did not vary by position. No female player had borderline or abnormal ECG findings. Borderline findings were present in 3% (n=12/356) of players. Abnormal findings were present in 2% (n=7/356) of players. Overall, 2.2% of ECGs were 'positive' (n=8/356, including n=1 ECG with two borderline findings). Conclusions The application of contemporary ECG interpretation criteria resulted in a low positivity rate isolated to male players. These results help inform the logistic feasibility of ECG-inclusive screening, which is already required to enter major tournaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clíodhna McHugh
- Department of Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bradley Petek
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Sports Cardiology Program, Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Aubrey J Grant
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Sport & Performance, MedStar Health, Columbia, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Gustus
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicol van Dyk
- High Performance Unit, Irish Rugby Football Union, Dublin, Ireland
- Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karen Hind
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Fiona Wilson
- Department of Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Meagan Wasfy
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Football Player Health Study, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Petek BJ, Drezner JA, Churchill TW. The International Criteria for Electrocardiogram Interpretation in Athletes: Common Pitfalls and Future Directions. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2024; 16:35-49. [PMID: 38280813 PMCID: PMC11207195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Preparticipation cardiovascular screening (PPCS) in young athletes is performed to detect conditions associated with sudden cardiac death. Many medical societies and sports governing bodies support the addition of a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to the history and physical to improve PPCS sensitivity. The current standard for ECG interpretation in athletes, the International Criteria, was developed to distinguish physiologic from pathologic ECG findings in athletes. Although application of the International Criteria has reduced the PPCS false-positive rate, interpretative challenges and potential areas of improvement remain. This review provides an overview of common pitfalls and future directions for ECG interpretation in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Petek
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Suite 5B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- University of Washington Medical Center for Sports Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 3800 Montlake Boulevard Northeast, Box 354060, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Timothy W Churchill
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Suite 5B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Liu MY, Liu PY, Tsai KZ, Lima JAC, Lavie CJ, Lin GM. Asian Female Athlete's Heart: The CHIEF Heart Study. ACTA CARDIOLOGICA SINICA 2023; 39:888-900. [PMID: 38022423 PMCID: PMC10646586 DOI: 10.6515/acs.202311_39(6).20230306f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Background The cardiac characteristics of Asian female endurance athletes and strength athletes have rarely been investigated. Methods This study included 177 Taiwanese young women undergoing military training. Cardiac features were assessed by electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography. Then, all participants completed a 3000-meter run to assess endurance capacity, and 89 participants completed a 2-minute push-up test to assess muscular strength. Athletes were those whose exercise performance fell one standard deviation above the mean, and the remaining participants were defined as controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of the cardiac characteristics of female athletes. Results Compared to the female controls, female endurance athletes had a greater QRS duration (ms) (92.12 ± 10.35 vs. 87.26 ± 9.89, p = 0.01) and a higher prevalence of right axis deviation (RAD) (34.9% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001). There were no differences in any echocardiographic parameters. Greater QRS duration and RAD and lower systolic blood pressure were independent predictors of female endurance athletes [odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.05 (1.01-1.09), 2.91 (1.12-7.59) and 0.93 (0.88-0.98), respectively]. Female strength athletes had a greater right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) (mm) (28.06 ± 3.57 vs. 25.38 ± 3.61, p = 0.007) but revealed no differences in ECG variables. Greater RVOT was the only predictor of female strength athletes [OR: 1.26 (1.05-1.50)]. Conclusions In Asian military women, a wider QRS duration and the presence of RAD in ECG rather than heart structure and function were found to characterize endurance athletes, whereas a wider RVOT but no ECG features were found to characterize strength athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yueh Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung
| | - Pang-Yen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center
| | - Kun-Zhe Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien
- Department of Stomatology of Periodontology, MacKay Memorial Hospital
- Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Joao A. C. Lima
- Departments of Cardiology and Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Carl J. Lavie
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Gen-Min Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center
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Ackerman KE, Rogers MA, Heikura IA, Burke LM, Stellingwerff T, Hackney AC, Verhagen E, Schley S, Saville GH, Mountjoy M, Holtzman B. Methodology for studying Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): a narrative review by a subgroup of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus on REDs. Br J Sports Med 2023; 57:1136-1147. [PMID: 37752010 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, the study of relationships among nutrition, exercise and the effects on health and athletic performance, has substantially increased. The 2014 introduction of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) prompted sports scientists and clinicians to investigate these relationships in more populations and with more outcomes than had been previously pursued in mostly white, adolescent or young adult, female athletes. Much of the existing physiology and concepts, however, are either based on or extrapolated from limited studies, and the comparison of studies is hindered by the lack of standardised protocols. In this review, we have evaluated and outlined current best practice methodologies to study REDs in an attempt to guide future research.This includes an agreement on the definition of key terms, a summary of study designs with appropriate applications, descriptions of best practices for blood collection and assessment and a description of methods used to assess specific REDs sequelae, stratified as either Preferred, Used and Recommended or Potential Researchers can use the compiled information herein when planning studies to more consistently select the proper tools to investigate their domain of interest. Thus, the goal of this review is to standardise REDs research methods to strengthen future studies and improve REDs prevention, diagnosis and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Ackerman
- Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margot Anne Rogers
- Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, South Australia, Australia
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ida A Heikura
- Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Louise M Burke
- Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Trent Stellingwerff
- Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony C Hackney
- Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Evert Verhagen
- Amsterdam Collaboration on Health and Safety in Sports and Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stacey Schley
- Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Grace H Saville
- Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margo Mountjoy
- Family Medicine, McMaster University Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Games Group, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bryan Holtzman
- Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Gül S, Güngör H. Assessment of left atrial morphological and functional differences in professional male football players: a prospective, case-control study. Cardiovasc J Afr 2023; 34:109-113. [PMID: 36947154 PMCID: PMC10512051 DOI: 10.5830/cvja-2023-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive physical activity in athletes leads to considerable changes in the morphology and physiology of the left atrium through physiological, exercise-induced remodelling. AIM This study aimed to assess the mechanical and electrophysiological changes in professional football players using electrocardiographic and echocardiographic assessment tools. METHODS This prospective, case-control study was performed between February and June 2022. The population consisted of elite male football players (n = 49, group F) as the study group, and healthy male non-athlete individuals of matching age (n = 50, group C) as the control group. All participants underwent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic (two-dimensional and tissue Doppler) examinations. Volumetric and functional assessment of the left atrium was identified as the study's primary outcome. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic and morphometric characteristics (p > 0.05). Maximum and minimum P waves and PR-interval duration were significantly higher in group F than in group C (p = 0.011, p = 0.005 and p < 0.001). Diameter, maximum and minimum volumes of the left atrium, and their corresponding indexes were significantly increased in group F (p < 0.0). Ejection fraction of the left atrium was significantly lower in group F than in group C (p = 0.001). Pulmonary acceleration time and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was significantly higher in the football players (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Increased diameter, maximum and minimum volumes of the left atrium, and their corresponding indexes could be demonstrated in the elite football players. The morphological and functional changes in the left atrium might be a physiological consequence of left atrial cardiac remodelling to intensive and chronic training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefa Gül
- Department of Cardiology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
| | - Hasan Güngör
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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Refoyo E, Troya J, de la Fuente A, Beltrán A, Celada OL, Díaz-González L, Pedrero-Tomé R, García-Yébenes M, Villalón JM. Myocardial Work Index in Professional Football Players: A Novel Method for Assessment of Cardiac Adaptation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093059. [PMID: 37176500 PMCID: PMC10179020 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global myocardial work index (GWI), a novel, valid, and non-invasive method based on speckle-tracking echocardiography, could provide value for calculating left ventricular (LV) function and energy consumption in athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively analyzed a single-center cohort of Spanish First-Division football players who attended a pre-participation screening program from June 2020 to June 2021, compared to a control group. All the individuals underwent an electrocardiogram and echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking and 4D-echo. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of myocardial work in professional football players and its correlations with other echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS The study population comprised 97 individuals (49 professional players and 48 controls). The mean age was 30.48 ± 7.20 years old. The professional football players had significantly higher values of LVEDV (p < 0.001), LVESV (p < 0.001), LV-mass index (p = 0.011), PWTd (p = 0.023), and EA (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. In addition, the professional players had lower GCW (p = 0.003) and a tendency to show lower GWI values (p < 0.001). These findings could suggest that professional football players have more remodeling and less MW, related to their adaptation to intensive training. Significant differences in GLS (p = 0.01) and GWE (p = 0.04) were observed as a function of the septal thickness of the athletes. Irrespective of the MW variable, the parameters with better correlations across all the populations were SBP, DBP, and GLS. CONCLUSIONS The GWI is a novel index to assess cardiac performance, with less load dependency than strain measurements. Future GWI analyses are warranted to understand myocardial deformation and other pathological differential diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Refoyo
- Department of Cardiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiac Imaging Unit, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario la PAZ, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Troya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana de la Fuente
- Department of Cardiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 28027 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Beltrán
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 28027 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Leonel Díaz-González
- Cardiac Imaging Unit, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario la PAZ, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Pedrero-Tomé
- Infanta Leonor Hospital Research and Innovation Foundation, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- EPINUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Petek BJ, Drezner JA, Churchill TW. The International Criteria for Electrocardiogram Interpretation in Athletes: Common Pitfalls and Future Directions. Cardiol Clin 2023; 41:35-49. [PMID: 36368810 PMCID: PMC10292923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccl.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Preparticipation cardiovascular screening (PPCS) in young athletes is performed to detect conditions associated with sudden cardiac death. Many medical societies and sports governing bodies support the addition of a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to the history and physical to improve PPCS sensitivity. The current standard for ECG interpretation in athletes, the International Criteria, was developed to distinguish physiologic from pathologic ECG findings in athletes. Although application of the International Criteria has reduced the PPCS false-positive rate, interpretative challenges and potential areas of improvement remain. This review provides an overview of common pitfalls and future directions for ECG interpretation in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Petek
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Suite 5B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- University of Washington Medical Center for Sports Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 3800 Montlake Boulevard Northeast, Box 354060, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Timothy W Churchill
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey Suite 5B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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12
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Ferrari F, da Silveira AD, Stein R. Comments Regarding the Athlete's Electrocardiogram in the Brazilian Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Analysis and Issuance of Electrocardiographic Reports - 2022Reply. Arq Bras Cardiol 2022; 120:e20220670. [PMID: 36629608 PMCID: PMC9833214 DOI: 10.36660/abc.20220670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Ferrari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência CardiovascularesUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência Cardiovasculares – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil,Grupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do ExercícioUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilGrupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do Exercício (CardioEx) – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil
| | - Anderson Donelli da Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência CardiovascularesUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência Cardiovasculares – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil,Grupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do ExercícioUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilGrupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do Exercício (CardioEx) – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil,Hospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegrePorto AlegreRSBrasilHospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência CardiovascularesUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Cardiologia e Ciência Cardiovasculares – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil,Grupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do ExercícioUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilGrupo de Pesquisa em Cardiologia do Exercício (CardioEx) – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreRSBrasilUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil
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13
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Danielian A, Shah AB. Differentiating Physiology from Pathology: The Gray Zones of the Athlete's Heart. Clin Sports Med 2022; 41:425-440. [PMID: 35710270 DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Routine vigorous exercise can lead to electrical, structural, and functional adaptations that can enhance exercise performance. There are several factors that determine the type and magnitude of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling (EICR) in trained athletes. In some athletes with pronounced cardiac remodeling, there can be an overlap in morphologic features with mild forms of cardiomyopathy creating gray zone scenarios whereby distinguishing health from disease can be difficult. An integrated clinical approach that factors athlete-specific characteristics (sex, size, sport, ethnicity, and training history) and findings from multimodality imaging are essential to help make this distinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Danielian
- Las Vegas Heart Associates- Affiliated with Mountain View Hospital, 2880 North Tenaya Way Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89128, USA
| | - Ankit B Shah
- Sports & Performance Cardiology Program, MedStar Health, 3333 North Calvert Street Suite 500 JPB, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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14
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Rao SJ, Shah AB. Exercise and the Female Heart. Clin Ther 2021; 44:41-49. [PMID: 34930659 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Female participation in sport has increased sharply during the last few decades, and for the third straight Olympic Games, there were more women than men on the US roster for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Given this, an understanding of the differences between men and women with respect to exercise-induced cardiac remodeling is critical for those caring for female athletes. Recent studies have provided insight into female-specific cardiac remodeling and have enhanced our understanding on the upper limits of cardiac remodeling in female athletes and how these adaptations compare with sedentary females, male athletes, and cardiomyopathies. Female athletes display fewer signs of adaptive remodeling on ECG compared with male athletes. Structurally, male athletes have larger absolute cardiac dimensions, but female athletes have similar or larger chamber size when adjusted for body size. Female athletes have a lower incidence of sudden cardiac arrest or death compared with male athletes in the early competitive years (high school, college, and professional) and in the masters athlete years. In addition, female athletes are less likely to have coronary disease and atrial fibrillation compared with male athletes. Data on longevity indicate that female athletes live longer than their sedentary counterparts. Unlike men, there has been no convincing association of extreme exercise and cardiovascular disease in longer-term endurance female athletes. The underlying mechanisms of these sex-based differences are not very well understood, and future studies are warranted to better understand the mechanisms of cardiac adaptation in female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiavax J Rao
- Department of Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ankit B Shah
- Sports & Performance Cardiology Program, MedStar Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
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15
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Martinez MW, Kim JH, Shah AB, Phelan D, Emery MS, Wasfy MM, Fernandez AB, Bunch TJ, Dean P, Danielian A, Krishnan S, Baggish AL, Eijsvogels TMH, Chung EH, Levine BD. Exercise-Induced Cardiovascular Adaptations and Approach to Exercise and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 78:1453-1470. [PMID: 34593128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The role of the sports cardiologist has evolved into an essential component of the medical care of athletes. In addition to the improvement in health outcomes caused by reductions in cardiovascular risk, exercise results in adaptations in cardiovascular structure and function, termed exercise-induced cardiac remodeling. As diagnostic modalities have evolved over the last century, we have learned much about the healthy athletic adaptation that occurs with exercise. Sports cardiologists care for those with known or previously unknown cardiovascular conditions, distinguish findings on testing as physiological adaptation or pathological changes, and provide evidence-based and "best judgment" assessment of the risks of sports participation. We review the effects of exercise on the heart, the approach to common clinical scenarios in sports cardiology, and the importance of a patient/athlete-centered, shared decision-making approach in the care provided to athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Martinez
- Atlantic Health, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Jonathan H Kim
- Emory School of Medicine, Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ankit B Shah
- Sports and Performance Cardiology Program, MedStar Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dermot Phelan
- Sports Cardiology Center, Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael S Emery
- Sports Cardiology Center, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Meagan M Wasfy
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiovascular Performance Program, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antonio B Fernandez
- Hartford HealthCare Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - T Jared Bunch
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Peter Dean
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alfred Danielian
- Las Vegas Heart Associates-affiliated with Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Sheela Krishnan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aaron L Baggish
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiovascular Performance Program, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thijs M H Eijsvogels
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Eugene H Chung
- West MI Program, Cardiac EP Service, Sports Cardiology Clinic, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Benjamin D Levine
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas, and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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