title: Gender differences in the electrocardiogram screening of athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gender-related differences are frequently used in medicine. Electrocardiograms are also subject to such differences. This study evaluated gender differences in ECG parameters of young athletes, discussing the possible implications of these differences for ECG criteria used in the cardiovascular screening of young athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013 and 2014 all the ECGs from the cardiovascular screenings performed at University Sports Medical Centre in Groningen of the student athletes who wanted to participate in a college sports program were collected. The ECG characteristics were scored using computer-based measurements and the Seattle ECG criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 1436 athletes, of which 72% were male. Male athletes were older (19.3 years vs. 18.6 years), participated in sports more frequently (4.0/week vs. 3.8/week) and spent more hours per week practising sports (6.4h/week vs. 5.8h/week) than female athletes. Male athletes had significantly higher PR intervals (149ms vs. 141ms), lead voltages and QRS duration (98ms vs. 88ms). Female athletes had significantly higher resting heart rates (69/min vs. 64/min) and QTc intervals (407ms vs. 400ms). Male athletes also had significantly higher amounts of sinus bradycardia (38.3% vs. 23.0%), incomplete RBBB (15.0% vs. 3.7%), early repolarisation (4.5% vs. 1.0%) and isolated QRS voltage criteria for LVH (26.3% vs. 4.6%). All P-values were ≤0.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ECGs of young athletes demonstrate gender-related differences. These differences could be considered in their cardiovascular screening. For the Seattle ECG criteria we advise additional research into the clinical implications of using gender-based cut-off values for the QRS duration in the intraventricular conduction delay criterion.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Sports Medicine, The Netherlands. Electronic address: b.bessem@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bessem
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Sports Medicine, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Matthijs C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Bruijn
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Cardiology and Centre for Sports Medicine, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wybe
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nieuwland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Athletes; Cardiovascular screening; Electrocardiography; Female; Male; Young adult