Typical electrocardiographic deviations after cessation of physical activities in elite sportsmen

We observed that ECG changes associated with high levels of sporting activity are reversible in the majority of cases after cessation of the sports career. This is probably related to the normalisation of the raised vagal tone and diminution of the effort-related heart hypertrophy and chamber dilatation in ex-sportsmen. The persistent ECG changes observed in some of the ex-sportsmen could be related to the ageing processes observed in the general population as well. It is important that all ECG deviations in ex-sportsmen be considered seriously and interpreted in the context of the ECGs obtained during the active sports career.