Electrocardiographic Findings of Repolarization in Athletic Students and Control Subjects

We have investigated resting electrocardiograms in 1,299 athletic students and 151 sedentary control subjects. ST elevations were more frequent and pronounced in athletes compared to controls, whereas there was no difference in ST depressions. Athletes with ST elevation above 2 mm were characterized by lower heart rate, increased PQ duration, increased indices of left, right and septal hypertrophy and T wave amplitude. Negative T waves in 3 of 6 precordial leads, V<sub>3-6</sub>, were found in 1.5% of athletes and 0.7% of controls, and in V<sub>5-6</sub> in 0.4% of athletes and none of controls, the differences not being significant. Athletes had significantly more often a T wave axis between +30 and -180° and less often a frontal T wave axis between +30 and +180°. The mean QRS-T angle was significantly greater in athletes, and U waves were more prominent. Analyzing athletes with QT<sub>C</sub> below and above 0.430 s, we found an increased heart rate, QRS duration, ST depression and a more pronounced left QRS axis in the group with QT<sub>C</sub> above 0.430 s. There was a positive correlation between QT<sub>C</sub> and h