Effect of exercise training on plasma levels of C-reactive protein in healthy adults: the HERITAGE Family Study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of exercise training on plasma C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.


RESULTS
We performed a 20 week standardized exercise training programme in 652 sedentary healthy white and black men and women. C-reactive protein was measured with a high sensitivity assay. The study sample was stratified according to baseline C-reactive protein levels using a recommended classification (low <1.0 mg/L, n=265; moderate 1.0-3.0 mg/L, n=225; high >3.0 mg/L, n=162). The median C-reactive protein reduction was 1.34 mg/L in the high baseline C-reactive protein group. C-reactive protein levels did not change in the low or moderate baseline C-reactive protein groups. The difference among the C-reactive protein groups was significant adjusting for all correlates of baseline C-reactive protein (P<0.001) and additionally for changes in body weight, glucose, insulin, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and maximal oxygen uptake (P<0.001). The C-reactive protein reduction in the high baseline C-reactive protein group was consistent across all population groups (P<0.001 for difference among baseline C-reactive protein groups).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma C-reactive protein levels are reduced in response to exercise training in sedentary healthy adults with high initial C-reactive protein levels. This finding may partly explain the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Lakka
Timo A
TA
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. timo.lakka@uku.fi
Lakka
Hanna-Maaria
HM
Rankinen
Tuomo
T
Leon
Arthur S
AS
Rao
D C
DC
Skinner
James S
JS
Wilmore
Jack H
JH
Bouchard
Claude
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D001769:Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D044465:White People
D002097:C-Reactive Protein