title: The association of C-reactive protein and physical activity among a church-based population of African Americans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regular physical activity can reduce systemic inflammation and, thereby, the burden of chronic inflammatory-related conditions. This study examined whether regular physical activity, measured subjectively (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity [RAPA]) and objectively (Bodymedia's SenseWear® activity monitor [SWA]), is associated with inflammatory or glycemic control markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were 345 participants of the Healthy Eating and Active Living in the Spirit (HEALS) lifestyle intervention among African American (AA) churches in South Carolina from 2009 to 2012. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between both subjectively and objectively measured physical activity and inflammatory markers including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those who participated in regular physical activity (from RAPA) had lower CRP values compared to those who were sedentary (2.3 vs. 3.8mg/L, p<0.01). Lower levels of CRP or IL-6 were observed among those in the highest quartile of active energy expenditure (CRP: 2.0 vs. 3.6 mg/L, p=0.01) or moderate-vigorous physical activity minutes (CRP=1.7 vs. 4.5mg/L, p<0.01; IL-6=1.5 vs. 2.1pg/mL, p=0.01) compared to their lowest respective quartiles as measured by the SWA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity may improve chronic inflammation, which is a primary pathophysiological mechanism for numerous chronic disorders, especially among minority populations.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: swann.adams@sc.edu.
authors.forename: Swann Arp
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: wirthm@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29207, USA. Electronic address: khans@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209, USA. Electronic address: angela.murphy@uscmed.sc.edu.
authors.forename: E Angela
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA. Electronic address: heineys@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Sue P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Heiney
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: ldavis@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: BRIANAD@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Briana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: draytonr@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Ruby F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Drayton
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: thurley@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.affiliation: Departments of Exercise Science and Epidemiology/Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: sblair@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: Steven N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; Statewide Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: jhebert@sc.edu.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hébert
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D013022:South Carolina
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; C508600:IL6 protein, human
keywords: African American; C-reactive protein; Inflammation; Physical activity