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.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. timo.lakka@uku.fi
Timo A
TA
Lakka
Hanna-Maaria
HM
Lakka
Tuomo
T
Rankinen
Arthur S
AS
Leon
D C
DC
Rao
James S
JS
Skinner
Jack H
JH
Wilmore
Claude
C
Bouchard
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