The associations between physical activity and inflammatory markers in high-functioning older persons: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationships between recreational activity, house/yard work activity, work activity, and total physical activity and high levels of two peripheral blood markers of inflammation: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Three communities (Durham, NC; New Haven, CT; and East Boston, MA).


METHODS
Eight hundred seventy persons aged 70 to 79 who were in the top third of community-dwelling older persons with respect to physical and cognitive functioning.


METHODS
Blood levels of IL-6 and CRP and self-reported recreational activity, house/yard work activity, work activity, and total physical activity.


RESULTS
The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for individuals with high levels of recreational activity to have values in the top tertiles of IL-6 and CRP were 0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.48-0.87) and 0.70 (95% CI = 0.51-0.95), respectively. The AORs for those with a high level of house/yard work activity to have values in the top tertile of IL-6 and CRP were 0.90 (95% CI = 0.67-1.20) and 0.70 (95% CI = 0.50-0.96), respectively. High levels of house/yard work and recreational activity were independently associated with lower risk of high CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between high levels of recreational activity and lower levels of the inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP suggests a mechanism for its protective effect and supports interventions that increase physical activity in older persons. Such potential benefits of increased physical activity on inflammatory markers will need to be confirmed in clinical trials.
Reuben
David B
DB
Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 90095, USA. dreuben@mednet.ucla.edu
Judd-Hamilton
Leslie
L
Harris
Tamara B
TB
Seeman
Teresa E
TE
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014481:United States
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein