title: Aerobic exercise reduces biomarkers related to cardiovascular risk among cleaners: effects of a worksite intervention RCT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blue-collar workers have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, elevated levels of biomarkers related to risk of cardiovascular disease, such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein, have been observed among blue-collar workers. The objective was to examine whether an aerobic exercise worksite intervention changes the level of inflammation biomarkers among cleaners.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design was a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 4-month worksite intervention. Before the 116 cleaners aged 18-65 years were randomized, they signed an informed consent form. The reference group (n = 59) received lectures, and the aerobic exercise group (n = 57) performed worksite aerobic exercise (30 min twice a week). Levels of biomarkers (high-sensitive C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride) were collected at baseline and after 4 months. A repeated-measure, multi-adjusted, mixed-model intention-to-treat analysis was applied to compare between-group differences. The study was registered as ISRCTN86682076.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (p < 0.05) between-group reductions from baseline to follow-up were found for high-sensitive C-reactive protein (-0.54 ± 0.20 µg/ml; 95% CI -0.94, -0.14), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.32 ± 0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.54, -0.10) and the ratios of LDL/HDL (-0.30 ± 0.08; 95% CI -0.46, -0.14), and LDL/TC cholesterol (-0.04 ± 0.02; 95% CI -0.07, -0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that an aerobic exercise intervention among cleaners leads to reduced levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and an unaltered level of fibrinogen. The aerobic exercise seems to improve inflammatory levels and lipoprotein profile among cleaners, with no signs of cardiovascular overload.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. mkl@nrcwe.dk.|Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 51, Copenhagen N, 2200, Denmark. mkl@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korshøj
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marie Højbjerg
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ravn
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.|Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holtermann
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.|Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Copenhagen K, 1014, Denmark.
authors.forename: Åse Marie
authors.initials: ÅM
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 51, Copenhagen N, 2200, Denmark.|Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, St. Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Aerobic workload; Blue-collar workers; Cardiovascular disease; Diurnal measurements; Objective measurements; RCT; Worksite intervention