Abstract
Aim. Physical activity, when vigorous, is not devoided of arrhythmic risk. Since the risk of developing arrhythmias increase as an otherwise healthy person ages, the question arises as to whether high intensity physical activity could be dangerous in the elderly person. The present study addressed the incidence of arrhythmias in elderly athletes in comparison to age-matched control subjects. Methods. We studied 49 male athletes engaged in various sport disciplines, mean age 62.3±2.3 and 24 sedentary or moderately physically active healthy males, mean age 62.9±1.7 years (Controls). All subjects underwent 2-D, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic examination, resting ECG and exercise stress test followed by 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring. Results. No pathological findings were detected in both experimental groups at echocardiographic examination. Exercise performance was greater in athletes than controls (206.9±5.2 vs 156.3±12 watt, p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 92-97 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2004 |
Keywords
- Aged
- Arrhythmias
- Athletes
- Electrocardiography, ambulatory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine