Sport-specific electrocardiographic patterns in Moroccan university athletes: a Seattle criteria-based cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.118025Keywords:
athlete’s heart, electrocardiography, sport type, sports cardiology, Seattle criteriaAbstract
Background: Exercise-induced cardiac remodelling results in electrocardiographic alterations that vary by sport and ethnicity. International screening criteria, derived primarily from Caucasian populations, may inadequately capture physiological variations in North African athletes.
Aim: To establish electrocardiographic profiles of Moroccan university athletes using the Seattle International Criteria and to analyse sport-specific variations.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 149 university athletes (79 male, 70 female, aged 18-25 years) from Hassan I University in Morocco, classified into endurance, mixed/team and strength/power sports. Standardised 12-lead electrocardiography was interpreted independently by two specialists. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis, and effect sizes were reported. Results: Significant differences in heart rate between sports emerged (p < .001, η² = .124): endurance athletes showed lower rates (58.4 ± 11.2 bpm) compared to mixed/team athletes (65.1 ± 11.8 bpm) and strength/power athletes (68.9 ± 12.5 bpm). The prevalence of sinus bradycardia was higher in endurance athletes (47.5% vs. 27.0% in mixed/team and 25.0% in strength/power; p = .018). Training-related findings were frequent (34.9% sinus bradycardia overall), borderline findings occurred in 5.4-8.1% and abnormal findings were minimal (6.0%).
Conclusions: Moroccan athletes demonstrate sport-specific electrocardiographic adaptations with lower abnormality rates than those reported in sub-Saharan African populations, suggesting North African heterogeneity. The findings challenge assumptions about continental generalisations and support region-specific regulatory frameworks rather than universally applicable criteria, especially among endurance athletes who show pronounced bradycardic adaptations.
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