Resting electrocardiographic characteristics in male elite and sub-elite football referees from Burkina Faso

Abstract

A healthy resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is mandatory for football referees given the rigour of football officiating, but the electrocardiographic profile of those in Burkina Faso is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the resting electrocardiographic characteristics of Burkinabè male elite and sub-elite football referees. Following the 2017 Athlete ECG Interpretation Criteria, a cross-sectional study was conducted in which a 12-lead resting surface ECG was performed in 121 football referees aged 23 to 44 years old. The proportion and χ2 tests were respectively used to examine any electrocardiographic risk prevalence and to test the probable effects of age categories, officiating categories and level of arbitration. The football referees were grouped into two age (≤ 35 years and > 35 years old) and officiating (central referees and assistant referees) categories. The level of arbitration further included elite and sub-elite referees. Normal ECG changes in repolarization, conduction, morphology, and rhythm were observed in 33.9%, 30.6%, 28.1%, and 57.0% of the referees, respectively. The borderline ECG change in morphology was recorded in 9.1% of the referees and there was no more than one case in the same referee. The abnormal ECG modification of the repolarization was found in 5.8% of the referees. These were negative T waves in: anterior (2.5%), lateral (0.8%), inferolateral (1.7%) and ST segment depression (0.8%). Borderline and abnormal ECG changes found were not associated with age categories, officiating categories and refereeing level (p ˃ 0.05). Abnormal ECG changes were infrequent among Burkinabè referees. Extensive investigations and clinical interventions are needed to forestall the risk of latent heart disease in football referees.