AF has only been considered to be a problem in the last 20/30years so from my own profession in sport it’s Interesting to see studies, although small are starting to filter through on the effects of exercise on AF....as reported on in the link below
In general exercise is good for you and as the old saying goes everything in moderation however, I have seen more and more evidence on how addictive excercise is becoming With little information on how too much training can actually damage your health.
There are now thousands of people taking up triathlons, marathons are endurance sports but only a small proportion of them have the benefits of proper advice and training with a coach I have seen some horrendous practices and advice over the last couple of years.
It would be interesting to track how many non elite athletes taking part in these endurance events go onto develop AF, require hip and knee replacement and other long term life changing sport injuries.
Yes I read the book quite recently but many thanks for your reply.
It's great to see so many people taking up excercise with obesity at epidemic point in the UK however, because of a lack of advice and availability of good knowledgeable coaches I fear we could be adding to an on going health crisis especially in the UK.
I sadly read about 2 sudden deaths in a local half marathon recently I wonder how many out of the 30,000 runner had be given or taken proper advice on how to tackle this type of event.
They are currently running a heart scanning programme in one of our local hospital for anyone under 30 years which has to be complimented on.
Interesting, thank you. I think Senhor Lucia’s conclusions as presented may be oversimplified. His throwaway comment in the last sentence seems open to challenge.
The usual advice about a brisk 30 minute walk 4 or 5 times a week feels instinctively about right for cardiorespiratory health. Is there any evidence that beyond this more is better?
I’m a 70 year old who was addicted to all the usual suspects, cycling, running, rowing etc albeit nothing approaching even club standards. But I was always obsessed with PBs (personal bests).
I’m pretty sure it played a part over 50 years in developing AF in my 60s, going on to pacemaker, ablations etc
Looking back at all the pleasure I had from sport, I wouldn’t change a thing, although I’m sure I would have benefitted from some good advice.
Marathons are not endurance events in comparison to the Nordic skiing events and cycling events like the Paris-Brest-Paris (760 miles in 90 hours that I did in 1995) let alone the Race Across America, which, I think, is 3,000 miles in three weeks.
I cycled 15,000 miles a year for several years, when I was in my mid-fifties.
...but my sister never did any exercise and she, too, has AF.
Just to say AF was a problem more than 30 years ago, it was just undiagnosed. Early life strokes for instance.
as a former non-elite endurance athlete (marathons, Ironman, ultras) following a lifetime of rugby, I developed AF in my 60s and I know of many other non-elite endurance athletes in the older age groups who have also suffered from AF to varying degrees. I am no longer in AF following successful cardioversion in March (and long may it stay that way!). but as others have said, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
however, given the rise in endurance events of many different kinds, perhaps it's time that we take a different approach to participation by only allowing people to compete if they have a medical certificate of fitness to take part as per the French, and I think some other countries, system - no cert, no play. This might encourage the couch potatoes who suddenly decide to take on an endurance event to get checked out first. However, the certification system is open to abuse (forged certs for example) and often ignored by event organisers in France. I'm not saying this is the way forward but it's a thought of ensuring those participating take more care of themselves.
I'm an international triathlon official now and certainly the ITU (governing body) has introduced rules to ensure athletes are fit to participate in events covered by the ITU rules (not usually local UK events which are covered under British rules). "ITU encourages all the athletes to undergo a periodic health evaluation (PHE) and to undergo a pre-participation evaluation (PPE) prior to engaging in competitive sport. An annual PPE is mandatory for all athletes competing in Youth, Junior, U23, Elite and Paratriathlon events from January 1st, 2018 in any ITU event as outlined in Appendix J. More information about PPE can be found in Appendix Q". Appendix Q covers cardiac assessment.
The British Tri Federation also encourages children to be fit to take part in local events - "The Event Organiser must obtain written consent from a child’s parent or guardian that the child has permission to compete in any given event, and is sufficiently fit and healthy". Not as comprehensive as the ITU but it's a start.
Raising awareness of health early on can ensure athletes take care of themselves more as they get older but I guess that going on to develop AF is a bit like buying shares - past performance is no guarantee of future health.
I am sure we all know athletic friends that have developed AF. Mine started in my early 60s. I am sure 35,000 miles run (250 half marathons) was a contributed as well as alcohol and LBB. I am still a regular cyclist but find an electric motor a great help as it reduces stress on my ticker going up hills.
Yes- this area is fascinating. Does the A-Fib develop because of the endurance exercise or is it there anyway (genetics/other factors)? Does the exercise help reduce the severity of A-Fib or exacerbate it? Like you say - all things in moderation and listen to your body. My background - a non-elite endurance runner. Took up running when I was 16 (and have run virtually continuously since then) and am now 51. Diagnosed with A-Fib when I was 47. On medication- no ablation planned - yet. Probably had it for a few years before then but they couldn't capture it. Have done about 20+ half-marathons (road + trail running) and last year did a marathon (3:22:43). My right hip/hip flexors are starting to give me pain. Needless to say, I can't push my body like I did when I was younger and my times are slowing slightly but not too much. IMHO I think people take marathons far too lightly and don't do the preparation. I find A-Fib a mystery. It hits me in the first 5 min of a run and can go away with deep slow breathing and slowing down. It is like the body is an engine that needs to warm up before the heart settles into a good rhythm. Having said that, it can hit me on hills or out of nowhere - I would love to know the trigger. I am going to stay as active for as long as I can. One day, I suppose ageing or A-Fib will win, and I'll need an ablation. Until then, I try not to let it bother me.
Many older cyclists have changed sports from running to cycling because of knee problems.
This is largely because, in the 60's and 70's, people ran in "plimsoles" which had very thin soles, and virtually no shock absorbance... modern Trainers are not just fashion accessories - they look after your legs and hips.
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