Race- and Sex-Associated Electrocardiographic Repolarization Characteristics in Young American Athletes in the Digital Age.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 2017 International Criteria for electrocardiographic (ECG) Interpretation in athletes include differential interpretation of anterior T-wave inversion (TWI) based on sex and race.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to analyze race- and sex-associated TWI differences and T-wave amplitudes in a digital ECG database of American athletes.

Methods

We analyzed 8,758 athlete screening ECGs (mean age 18.5 ± 3.0 years; 58.7% male). TWI was defined as inversion <-0.075 mV (0.75 mm) to correlate with visual assessment. The convex anterior TWI pattern, historically attributed to Black athletes, was identified by J-point elevation >0.075 mV with convex ST morphology preceding TWI in >1 lead from V₂ to V₄.

Results

TWI in ≥1 precordi

SUBMITTER: Tso JV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12723155 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature