The electrocardiographic peculiarities of Algerian competitive athletes in the region of Sétif

Purpose to study electrocardiographic abnormalities in Algerian competitive athletes in the Setif region, and compare with other international studies. Material and methods 621 competitive athletes aged 12 and over (86% male, mean age 17.38 years) were included in our observational and cross-sectional epidemiological study. Results Our study confirms the rarity of rhythmic incidents in athletes (regular sinus rhythm 81.3%, sinus arrhythmia 17.7%, rhythm disorders 1%). The prevalence of bradycardia is 20.6%. It is proportional to age and more pronounced among male athletes, the influence of training on heart rate is not significant since 8 hours of training per week. The prevalence of fragmented QRS is 12.6%. The index of Sokolow-Lyon > 35 mm is found in 31.9% of athletes, with a male predominance. The pathology index is found in 8.2% of athletes without significant difference between the two sexes, these criteria of the HVG are not influenced by training, but rather by the type of sport activity and the intensity of dynamic activity. The prevalence of BAV 1 (1.3% in our study) is independent of the importance of bradycardia. The prevalence of early repolarization (RP) is 26.1%, with male predominance. We investigated the influence of age, gender, sport, training, electrical LVH and heart rate on RP. The lower topography of RP is the most common (65.4%) and hooking is the predominant aspect (57.4%). The latter is influenced by gender, age, type of sport, training, heart rate and QRS range. While the impasto is influenced only by the amplitude of the QRS. PR is associated with concave and ascending ST segment elevation in 30.7% of cases. The prevalence of non-specific branch blocks is 1.3% ( Table 1 ). Conclusion The ECG was normal in 29.3% of athletes with a female predominance and presents adaptive abnormalities to regular exercise in 66.3% with male predominance. 4.3% of athletes (with a female predominance) have abnormal aspects, not related to sports training.