High physical fitness is associated with reduction in basal- and exercise-induced inflammation.
C-reactive protein (CRP) increases after strenuous exercise. It has been a concern that prolonged strenuous exercise may be harmful and induce a deleterious inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess and quantify the magnitude of CRP response following an endurance cycling competition in healthy middle-aged recreational cyclists. (b) Identify important determinants of this response. (c) Identify the relationship between CRP, myocardial damage (cardiac Troponin I (cTnI)), and myocardial strain (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]). (d) Identify the relationship between CRP and clinical events, defined as utilization of healthcare services or self-reported unusual discomfort. Race time was used as a measure of physical fitness. A total of 97 individuals (43±10 years of age, 74 [76%] males) were assessed prior to and 0, 3, and 24 hours following the 91-km mountain bike race "Nordsjørittet" (Sandnes, Norway, June 2013). There was a highly significant increase in CRP from baseline to 24 hours (0.9 (0.5-1.8) mg/L vs. 11.6 (6.0-17.5) mg/L (median[IQR]), P<.001), with no correlation of CRP to cTnI and BNP at any time-point. CRP was strongly correlated to race time at baseline (r=.38, P<.001) and at 24 hours following the race (r=.43, P<.001), In multivariate models, race time was an independent predictor of CRP both at baseline and at 24 hours (P<.01). There was no relationship between CRP levels and clinical events. In conclusion, high physical fitness was associated with reduction in both basal- and exercise-induced CRP. No adverse relationship was found between high intensity physical exercise, CRP levels, and outcomes.
Cardiology Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3316-1295
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Kleiven
Sandnes kommune, Norway.
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Bjørkavoll-Bergseth
Cardiology Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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Melberg
Department of Biochemistry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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Skadberg
Senior medical officer, North Sea Race, Sandnes, Norway.
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Bergseth
Department of Biochemistry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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Selvåg
Research Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.|Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
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Auestad
Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.|Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
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Aukrust
Research Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
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Aarsland
Cardiology Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.|Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Stavanger, Kjell Arholms Gate 41, Stavanger 4036, Norway.
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D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
C-reactive protein; bicycling; cardiovascular risk factors; endurance exercise; healthy individuals; recreational sport