THE PARADOX OF SPORT: THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM VERSUS THE RISK OF ARRHYTHMIA

Alicja Babula; Bartosz Golis; Anna Maria Gęsińska; Krystian Czyżykowski; Helena Szelka; Paweł Edyko; Wiktor Golus; Katarzyna Andrzejewska; Zuzanna Przybyła; Hubert Woźniak

doi:10.31435/ijitss.4(48).2025.4315

Authors

Alicja Babula T. Marciniak Lower Silesian Specialist Hospital – Centre for Emergency Medicine, Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0573-5022
Bartosz Golis Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2968-6797
Anna Maria Gęsińska Antoni Jurasz University Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Kuyavia-Pomerania, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4336-8873
Krystian Czyżykowski Antoni Jurasz University Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Kuyavia-Pomerania, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8816-1811
Helena Szelka University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of the Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7142-341X
Paweł Edyko Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6764-3434
Wiktor Golus University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of the Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1930-9837
Katarzyna Andrzejewska Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6994-7505
Zuzanna Przybyła Medical University of Łódź, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4778-3106
Hubert Woźniak Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9891-3248

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.4(48).2025.4315

Keywords:

Atrial Fibrillation, Endurance Sport, Cardiovascular Adaptations, Arrhythmia, Heart Rate Variability, Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

In recent years, sport has become increasingly popular. It has long been known that regular physical activity is one of the most important factors in preventing cardiovascular disease. Many studies show that systematic exercise has many benefits: it leads to lower blood pressure, improved lipid profile, and beneficial adaptations in the structure and function of the heart. Endurance training induces physiological remodeling of the heart muscle, including enlargement of its chambers, increased left ventricular mass, and improved oxygen efficiency. This results in more efficient blood flow, lower resting heart rate, and increased heart rate variability. These parameters are an indicator of good autonomic balance.

However, over the years, we have seen increasing evidence that long-term, intense endurance training may carry certain risks. Numerous studies indicate an increased risk of arrhythmia in people who engage in intense sports. The most commonly described rhythm disorder in this population is atrial fibrillation, the incidence of which in endurance athletes may be several times higher than in the general population. Some retired athletes also experience cases of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, probably due to right ventricular overload and remodeling processes.

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