Can ARVC patients exercise safely? new study aims to find out

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Definitive ARVC diagnosis according to the modified 2010 ARVC Task Force Criteria * Pathogenic / likely pathogenic variant in one of the following desmosomal genes: plakophilin-2 (PKP-2), desmoglein-2 (DSG-2) or desmoplakin (DSP) or gene-elusive definite ARVC (i.e., genetic test performed but no pathogenic / likely pathogenic variant found) * Control group: diagnosed ischemic heart disease with ejection fraction above 35% * Agreement with responsible primary cardiologist that study participation is not considered beyond acceptable levels of physical activity for this particular patient * No history of exercise-induced syncope in the 6 months prior to study participation * No history of sudden cardiac arrest in the 6 months prior to study participation * In patients who suffered from sudden cardiac arrest/arrhythmic syncope, only those having an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and being under beta-blockers/antiarrhythmic drugs are eligible for study inclusion * Informed Consent as documented by signature (Appendix Informed Consent Form) * Age: \> 14 years * Body-Mass-Index (BMI): 18.5 - 39.9 kg･m-2 * Willing to adhere to the following study rules: * No intense exercise 48h prior to testing * No exercise 24h prior to testing * Sleep at least 7h the two nights before testing On test day * No caffeinated food or drink before testing on test day * No alcohol before testing on test day * Fully compliant with normal medication regimen including beta-blockers and antiarrhythmic medication Exclusion Criteria: * No genetic test history for ARVC variants * Heart failure with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF \<35%) * For women: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intention to become pregnant during the study. * Known or suspected non-compliance, drug, or alcohol abuse * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g., due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant * Previous enrolment into the current study