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June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive CardiologyOpen Access

16 (15.1%) athletes developed AF, with no significant differences in prospective exercise type, volume, or intensity between athletes with and without AF, though those with AF were significantly older (63.5 vs 58.5 years, P=0.001) and had higher systolic BP (127.3 vs 118.9 mmHg, P=0.004).

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Why the study?

Does prospective exercise training volume, intensity, or timing correlate with the incidence of atrial fibrillation in veteran male endurance athletes?

Population

106 healthy male endurance athletes aged ≥ 50 years who undertook ≥ 10 hours/week of exercise for ≥ 15…

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

median 3.4 years (IQR 3.2 - 3.5 years)

Authors

WJW JavedBCB ChambersBBB Brown

Discussion

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Overview

Supports AF monitoring consideration in veteran male endurance athletes; leaves open exercise causality in observational data.

Key Points

  • The study aims to explore the relationship between exercise habits and the incidence of atrial fibrillation in veteran male endurance athletes.
  • 106 male veteran endurance athletes aged ≥50 years were tracked using computerized exercise tracking devices (CETDs).
  • Participants underwent clinical assessment including 12-lead ECG and received an implantable loop recorder (ILR) for AF monitoring.
  • The primary endpoint was the detection of six minutes of atrial fibrillation during follow-up.
  • 16 athletes (15.1%) developed atrial fibrillation during a median follow-up of 3.4 years.
  • AF episodes occurred, often nocturnally, and had a median onset time of 19.5 hours post-exercise.
  • No significant differences in training patterns were observed between athletes with and without AF.

Structured PICO

Does prospective exercise training volume, intensity, or timing correlate with the incidence of atrial fibrillation in veteran male endurance athletes?

P
Population
106 healthy male endurance athletes (cyclists/triathletes) aged ≥ 50 years who undertook ≥ 10 hours/week of exercise for ≥ 15 years, without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
I
Intervention
Prospective tracking of exercise activity using computerised exercise tracking devices (CETDs) combined with continuous cardiac monitoring via an implantable loop recorder (ILR).
O
Outcome
Six minutes of atrial fibrillation (AF) detected by implantable loop recorder (ILR)hard clinical

In veteran male endurance athletes, the onset of atrial fibrillation appears related to lifetime competitive exercise exposure, age, and blood pressure rather than recent prospective exercise training habits.

Cite This Study

Javed et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd11d6550ea4541ffe8c8https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.396
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Risk of incident atrial fibrillation detected on implantable loop recorder and relationship with physical activity; an individual participant pooled analysis of LOOP and VENTOUX2026
  2. 2Association of self-reported sports volume and discipline with atrial arrhythmia prevalence in middle-aged males2026 · 1 citations
  3. 3Epidemiology, pathogenesis and management of atrial fibrillation in athletes - a narrative review2025
  4. 4Atrial Fibrillation in 63-Year-Old Former Elite Endurance Athletes: A 38-Year Follow-Up Study2025
  5. 5Arrhythmia burden, symptoms and quality of life in female and male endurance athletes with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a multicentre cohort study in Norway, Australia and Belgium2025 · 2 citations