96-78: Title: Heart rate of supporters during FIFA world cups

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Introduction: 102 fans of different national football teams participate in a simple, non-binding study devoted to football supporters during the last three FIFA world cups. We studied changes occurring in heart rate during football matches, taking into account both the cardiovascular risk factors of the participants, and the relative importance of the match as first round, last sixteen to semi finale, and finale. Methods: Data were prospectively collected in 102 patients between june 2006 and july 2014 during the last three FIFA world cup of football. Participants were 18 to 62 years old. Heart rate and cardiac events were recorded in the 10 minutes before and during the match using a five derivations Holter ECG monitoring device (Searlight GE and Spiderview Sorin Group). Cardiovascular risk factors, medications and score of passion were also recorded. Results: Average heart rate significantly increased during the matches ( mean change 30 beats per minutes, p= 0.02). The maximum heart rate reached 95% or more of the maximal heart rate for age in 80% of the participants. Supra ventricular ectopic beats and paroxymal atrial fibrillations were observed in 10 subjects (9.8%). In bivariate analysis, goals, faults, supported team's victory, relative importance of the event and higher scale of passion were positively associated with average heart rate during matches and with cardiac events (all p < 0.05) (all p <0.05). Conclusions: During football competitions in World cup, supporters experience abrupt increases in heart rate, which compare to changes expected in maximal treadmill exercise tests, what should be taken into account, especially for those with overt cardiac diseases, or high global cardiovascular risk. Maximal heart rate of supporters during the last three World Cups of football (percentage refers to maximal theoretical heart rate). Maximal heart rate of supporters during the last three World Cups of football (percentage refers to maximal theoretical heart rate).