Age-Related Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Male Junior Soccer Athletes

Sciarra, Luigi; Biondi‐Zoccai, Giuseppe; Maffessanti, Francesco; Nigro, Antonia; Sperandii, Fabio; Guerra, Emanuele; Quaranta, Federico; Fossati, C; Peruzzi, Mariangela; Pingitore, Annachiara; Stasinopoulos, Dimitrios; Rigby, Robert A.; Adorisio, Rachele; Saglietto, Andrea; Calò, Leonardo; Frati, Giacomo; Pigozzi, Fabio

doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.784170

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The application of QT variability analysis for the study of cardiac control in athletes is still limited ( Yanık et al, 2021 ; Cavarretta et al, 2022 ). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the complementary information derived by QT variability assessment, including its complexity, with respect to HP variability, in a group of middle-aged half-marathon runners studied over a 10-year follow-up period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Sympathovagal Balance by Regular Exercise May Counteract the Ageing Process. A Study by the Analysis of QT Variability

et al. 2022

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QT interval (QT) variability analysis provides pathophysiological and prognostic information utilized in cardiac and non-cardiac diseases, complementary to those obtained from the analysis of heart period (HP) variability. An increased QT variability has been associated to a higher risk for cardiac events and poorest prognosis. Autonomic cardiovascular adaptation to internal and external challenges, such those occurring in athletes exposed to high levels of physical stress and in ageing could also be deepen by analyzing QT variability, searching for early prognostic signatures. The aim of the study was to analyze the QT variability and cardiac control complexity in a group of middle-aged half-marathon runners at baseline (B) and at a 10-year follow-up (FU). We found that the overall QT variability decreased at FU, despite the inescapable increase in age (52.3 ± 8.0 years at FU). This change was accompanied by an increase of the HP variability complexity without changes of the QT variability complexity. Of notice, over the years, the group of athletes maintained their regular physical activity by switching to a moderate intensity rather than strenuous. In conclusion, regular and moderate exercise over the years was beneficial for this group of athletes, as reflected by the decreased overall QT variability that is known to be associated to lower cardiovascular risk. The concomitant enhanced cardiac control complexity also suggests a trend opposite to what usually occurs with ageing, resulting in a more flexible cardiac control, typical of younger people.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Sympathovagal Balance by Regular Exercise May Counteract the Ageing Process. A Study by the Analysis of QT Variability

et al. 2022

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“…In the study of Cavarretta et al [ 7 ] on 2151 healthy adolescents soccer players, mean age 12.4 years, H and W were assessed based on age groups 7 to 8, 9 to 10, and 17 to 18. Compared to our study, the mean W was 49.8 +/−14.8 kg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body size influences heart rate in children aged 6 to 18 years old

et al. 2023

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Previous research established age-related normal limits for children's heart rates (HRs). However, children of the same age can have significantly different HRs, depending on whether they are overweight or underweight, tall or short. Studies on children HR have failed to find a clear correlation between HR and body size. The goal of our study was to create Z scores for HR based on weight (W), height (H), body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) and compare them to normal age-related HR limits. Electrocardiograms were recorded from a total of 22,460 healthy children ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old using BTL machines. A comparison was made between different age groups, in function of W, H, BMI, and BSA, based on the HR that was automatically detected by using the digitally stored electrocardiogram. Z scores were computed for each of the categories that were mentioned. Incremental Z score values between −2.5 and 2.5 were calculated to establish upper and lower limits of HR. The BSA's estimation of HR is the most accurate of the available methods and can be utilized with accuracy in clinical practice. Z scores for HR in children differ in function of the age, W, H, BMI and BSA. The best estimation is based on BSA. The novelty of our study is that we developed Z scores for HR in relation to body size, age and sex, producing a standardized, consistent, and reproducible result without requiring practitioners to learn and remember cutoff values for a wide range of variables across age groups and sexes. Z scores minimize observer and institutional bias, hence generating uniform and reproducible standards.

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