Athlete's heart patterns in elite rugby players: effects of training specificities.

Background: Athlete's heart patterns have been widely described. However, to our knowledge, few studies have focused on professional rugby players, who train differently according to their field position.

Aim: To describe electrocardiographic and echocardiographic patterns observed in elite rugby players according to their field position.

Sports-related acute cardiovascular events in a general population: a French prospective study.

Background: The effects of physical exercise on the cardiovascular system are presented as a 'paradox' with beneficial effects and hazards. Most earlier studies were retrospective, were concerned with trained athletes, and focused on sudden death or myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to prospectively study the incidence and the causes of sports-related acute cardiovascular events in a general population.