The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence in Sports Cardiology

Dear Colleagues,

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and sports cardiology represents a burgeoning area of research and clinical application. As athletes push the boundaries of human performance, the need for advanced, precise, and efficient cardiac monitoring and diagnostics becomes paramount. AI, with its ability to process vast amounts of data and discern patterns, offers promising solutions in this domain.

In this Special Issue, we invite submissions exploring the following:

1. AI-driven ECG Interpretation in Athletes:
• Overview of current algorithms designed for athlete-specific ECG patterns;
• Challenges in distinguishing between physiological adaptations and pathological conditions;
• Case studies showcasing the accuracy and efficiency of AI-driven ECG interpretations.
2. Wearable Technology and Continuous Monitoring:
• The role of AI in analyzing data from wearable devices;
• Predictive analytics for early detection of cardiac anomalies in athletes;
• Integration of wearables with sports training regimes for optimal cardiac health.
3. Predictive Modeling for Athlete Risk Stratification:
• Using AI to predict athletes at risk for sudden cardiac events;
• Data sources and variables that enhance predictive accuracy;
• Ethical considerations in risk prediction and management.
4. Personalized Training Regimes and Recovery:
• AI's role in tailoring training regimes based on cardiac health and performance metrics;
• Monitoring and predicting overtraining syndrome using AI algorithms;
• Optimizing recovery periods post-exertion or post-injury using AI insights.
5. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Cardiac Rehabilitation:
• The use of VR and AR tools, powered by AI, in cardiac rehab for athletes;
• Gamification of rehab exercises to enhance adherence and outcomes;
• Case studies of successful VR/AR rehab interventions.
6. Ethical and Privacy Concerns:
• Balancing the benefits of AI-driven insights with privacy rights;
• Ensuring unbiased algorithms in cardiac assessments;
• Addressing concerns about data security and sharing in the age of AI.

Dr. Stefano Palermi
Dr. Marco Vecchiato
Dr. Andrea Saglietto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• artificial intelligence
• athlete cardiac health
• ECG interpretation
• wearable technology
• sports cardiology
• pre-participation screening
• sports medicine
• cardiac rehabilitation
• virtual reality (VR) in cardiology
• cardiovascular imaging