Strength training not tied to ventricular arrhythmia in those with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Strength training is not linked to ventricular arrhythmia for people living with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), according to a study published online Sept. 10 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

Katia Chiampas, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues evaluated the risk for ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in individuals with ACM and/or pathogenic/likely pathogenic ACM gene variants exposed to strength-based exercise. The analysis included 355 individuals (median age, 34 years) identified from the Johns Hopkins Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Registry, with follow-up from age 10 years.

The researchers found that overall lifetime risk for VA was higher with increased aerobic exercise (dual + endurance) than without (strength + sedentary). However, no differences were identified between dual versus endurance athletes or strength athletes versus sedentary individuals. There was also no association between VA and strength training, but there was a significant association with endurance exercise.

“There have been a lot of questions about the safety of strength training for people living with or at risk for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy,” senior author Lili Barouch, MD, also from Johns Hopkins, said in a statement. “This study opens the door to help researchers further assess this—and supports continued shifts away from blanket exercise recommendations to support personalized decision-making between physicians and patients.”

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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