[Arrhythmias in athlets (author's transl)].

380 athletes in optimal performance were examinated within 10 years between 2 and 13 times (average: 4 times): ECG were taken at rest, during breathing tests and under maximal physical load by ergometry. 88 (23.2%) of them showed arrhythmias, 32 in the same examination different forms of premature beats. All kinds of arrhythmias were seen except atrial flatter, total av-block and paroxysmal tachycardias. Breathing tests provoked most of arrhythmias followed by the recovery after maximal physical load. Follow-up studies and clinical examinations proved that in 86 sportsmen these arrhythmias were not a symptom of heart disease. Only in 2 athletes heart injury could not be excluded. But in nearly 50% extracardial inflammations, like tonsillitis, bronchitis etc., were found. It is discussed that bradycardia and vagotonia of the highly trained sportsmen cause the arrhythmias. This vagotonia is intensified by breathing tests. But arrhythmias found in athletes should cause an examination for other chronical sicknesses.