Cited by 287Cardiovascular Effects of ExerciseAtrial Fibrillation Management and OutcomesCardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias

Endurance sport practice as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter

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Mont, L., Elosua, R., Brugada, J.·2008·Europace

Abstract

Although the benefits of regular exercise in controlling cardiovascular risk factors have been extensively proven, little is known about the long-term cardiovascular effects of regular and extreme endurance sport practice, such as jogging, cycling, rowing, swimming, etc. Recent data from a small series suggest a relationship between regular, long-term endurance sport practice and atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter. Reported case control studies included less than 300 athletes, with mean age between 40 and 50. Most series recruited only male patients, or more than 70% males, who had been involved in intense training for many years. Endurance sport practice increases between 2 and 10 times the probability of suffering AF, after adjusting for other risk factors. The possible mechanisms explaining the association remain speculative. Atrial ectopic beats, inflammatory changes, and atrial size have been suggested. Some of the published studies found that atrial size was larger in athletes than in controls, and this was a predictor for AF. It has also been shown that the left atrium may be enlarged in as many as 20% of competitive athletes. Other proposed mechanisms are increased vagal tone and bradycardia, affecting the atrial refractory period; however, this may facilitate rather than cause the arrhythmia. In summary, recent data suggest an association between endurance sport practice and atrial fibrillation and flutter. The underlying mechanism explaining this association is unclear, although structural atrial changes (dilatation and fibrosis) are probably present. Larger longitudinal studies and mechanistic studies are needed to further characterize the association to clarify whether a threshold limit for the intensity and duration of physical activity may prevent AF, without limiting the cardiovascular benefits of exercise.

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Crossref · 10.1093/europace/eun289

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  1. [35]Coumel P Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a disorder of autonomic tone? Eur Heart J 1994 15 9 16 8070496

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Authors
Mont, L., Elosua, R., & Brugada, J.
Affiliations
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES)
Corresponding author
Mont, L.
Venue
Europace
Published
2008-11-12
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
11-17
ISSN
  • 1099-5129 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2092
OpenAlex
W2142530674
Cited by
287
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 27
FWCI
2.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • EP Europace (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Eli Lilly and Company
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
Keywords
endurance sports, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, athletes, atrial enlargement, atrial fibrosis, atrial ectopic beats, vagal tone, bradycardia, atrial refractory period, cardiovascular risk factors
MeSH terms
Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, Female, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Risk Factors, Sports, Comorbidity, Incidence, Risk Assessment, Athletic Performance

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