THE ASSOCIATION OF FITNESS AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN

Abstract

The inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. It is well known that moderate to high levels of fitness are protective against the development of CVD and diabetes. However the mechanisms whereby increased fitness confers protection against CVD and the development of diabetes remains incompletely understood. Reduced baseline inflammatory status may be one possible mechanism where-by higher levels of fitness provides protection. However, there is limited data examining this hypothesis. Purpose: To examine the association of CRP and fitness. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 241 men in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. Participants had no history of current tobacco use or CVD. Fitness was assessed by maximal treadmill exercise test (Balke protocol) and participants were classified into low, moderate and high fitness categories based on age and treadmill time. CRP was measured following a 12-hour fast prior to fitness test. Due to the skewed distribution, CRP data are presented as geometric means (± SE) and medians (25th, 75th percentiles). Results: *adjusted for age and body mass index (kg/m2), b = Spearmen Correlation For mean CRP: Low < Mod (p = 0.02), Low & Mod < High (p < 0.0001 for both) For adjusted mean CRP: Low & Mod < High (p = 0.001 & 0.0009 respectively) Conclusion: Higher levels of fitness are associated with lower levels of CRP in this group of healthy, non-smoking men. This relation is independent of age and BMI. Lower levels of C-reactive protein may be one mechanism whereby higher levels of fitness provide protection against the development of CVD and diabetes. Supported in part by U.S.P.H.S research grant AG06945 from the N.I.A.Table: No Caption Available.