Physical activity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
Eric P Plaisance1, Peter W Grandjean
1Department of Health and Human Performance, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA. plaisep@auburn.edu
Insights
Regular physical activity significantly lowers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a key marker of inflammation. This effect is comparable or superior to pharmacological interventions for cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Cardiology
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health concern.
- Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis development and progression.
- Novel inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) aid risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence demonstrating physical activity's role in reducing CRP levels.
- To examine the dose-response relationship between physical activity and CRP reduction.
- To explore factors influencing CRP response to exercise.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
- Analysis of data linking physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and CRP levels.
- Examination of studies investigating exercise interventions and CRP changes.
Main Results:
- Higher physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness correlate with 6-35% lower CRP levels.
- Longitudinal studies show CRP reductions of 16-41% with training.
- Exercise-induced CRP reduction may be independent of body composition or weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity effectively lowers CRP levels in a dose-dependent manner.
- The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise on CRP is a significant adjunct to CVD risk reduction.
- Factors like diet, smoking, and body composition may modulate the exercise-CRP relationship.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in developed countries around the world despite the documented success of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. This illustrates the multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis and the use of novel inflammatory markers as an adjunct to risk factor reduction strategies. As evidence continues to accumulate that inflammation is involved in all stages of the development and progression of atherosclerosis, markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) may provide additional information regarding the biological status of the atherosclerotic lesion. Recent investigations suggest that physical activity reduces CRP levels. Higher levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are consistently associated with 6-35% lower CRP levels. Longitudinal training studies that have demonstrated reductions in CRP concentrations range from 16% to 41%, an effect that may be independent of baseline levels of CRP, body composition or weight loss. The average change in CRP associated with physical activity appears to be at least as good, if not better, than currently prescribed pharmacological interventions in similar populations. The primary purpose of this review will be to present evidence from both cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations that physical activity lowers CRP levels in a dose-response manner. Finally, this review will examine factors such as body composition, sex, blood sample timing, diet and smoking, which may influence the CRP response to physical activity.
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