TITLE:
Clinical and Electrocardiographic Profile of Candidates for the Physical Education and Sports Teaching Aptitude Examination in Senegal
AUTHORS:
Ngoné Diaba Gaye, Joseph Salvador Mingou, Ahmed Hamid Subra, Malick Ndiaye, Marguerite Tening Diouf, Lamine Ly, Seydina Oumar Gueye, Mamadou Adama Thiam, Alassane Mbaye, Abdoul Kane, Aliou Alassane Ngaïdé
KEYWORDS:
Electrocardiogram, Pre-Participation Screening, Physical Activity, Sports Eligibility, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery,
Vol.16 No.7,
August
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Regular physical activity is beneficial for cardiovascular health, but intense exercise may be associated with clinical and electrocardiographic adaptations that can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from pathological abnormalities. Among candidates for the aptitude certificate for physical education and sports teaching, who are exposed to endurance and sprint events, cardiovascular assessment is an important preventive issue. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and electrocardiographic profiles of candidates for this examination, describe the abnormalities observed, and identify situations requiring monitoring or further investigation. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study, with descriptive primary and exploratory comparative analyses, was conducted from 19 to 21 December 2022 at the National Centre for Popular and Sports Education in Thiès. Cardiologist-led screening was available only at the Thiès centre during the final three days of the national examination. All 89 consecutively approached candidates consented and were included. Resting 12-lead ECGs were interpreted using prespecified international criteria. The primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of clinical and ECG findings; sex comparisons were secondary and exploratory, with effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The sample included 70 men (78.7%) and 19 women (21.3%), with a mean age of 30.58 ± 7.14 years. All participants reported physical activity, although training volume and competitive level were not recorded. Single-visit blood-pressure values fell within the grade 1 and grade 2 office ranges in 16.9% (95% CI 10.5 - 26.0) and 2.2% (95% CI 0.6 - 7.8), respectively. All ECGs showed sinus rhythm. Bradycardia occurred in 29.2% (95% CI 20.8 - 39.4), T-wave inversion in 23.6% (95% CI 16.0 - 33.4), prolonged Bazett-corrected QT interval (QTc) in 11.2% (95% CI 6.2 - 19.5), first-degree atrioventricular block in 7.9% (95% CI 3.9 - 15.4), left atrial enlargement in 6.7% (95% CI 3.1 - 13.9), and incomplete right bundle branch block in 5.6% (95% CI 2.4 - 12.5). Conclusion: Several ECG findings are classified as training-related when observed in appropriately trained athletes; however, their attribution to exercise could not be established because training exposure was not quantified. Repolarisation abnormalities and prolonged QTc require specialist interpretation. These findings support a structured, context-appropriate cardiovascular screening and referral pathway for this candidate population.