Physical fitness and C-reactive protein level in children and young adults: the Columbia University BioMarkers Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of physical fitness with C-reactive protein (CRP) level in children and young adults.


METHODS
Subjects (N = 205) aged 6 to 24 years were enrolled in the Columbia University BioMarkers Study (1994-1998). Physical fitness was assessed using a non-effort-dependent treadmill testing protocol (physical work capacity at heart rate of 170 beats per minute). CRP level was measured using a high-sensitivity assay.


RESULTS
Subjects were 54% female and 65% of Hispanic origin. Mean fitness level was higher in boys than in girls, but CRP levels did not differ by gender. Fitness level was inversely correlated with CRP (r = -0.22). This relationship was significant in boys (r = -0.32) but not in girls (r = -0.15). After multivariate regression adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and family history of early-onset ischemic heart disease, physical fitness remained inversely associated with CRP level in boys (beta = -0.02; standard error = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that physical fitness is inversely related to CRP level in children and that this relationship is more pronounced in boys than in girls.
Isasi
Carmen R
CR
Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Deckelbaum
Richard J
RJ
Tracy
Russell P
RP
Starc
Thomas J
TJ
Berglund
Lars
L
Shea
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000235:genetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein