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. 2015 Aug:77:137-40.
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.05.010. Epub 2015 May 22.

The association of C-reactive protein and physical activity among a church-based population of African Americans

Swann Arp Adams  1 , Michael D Wirth  2 , Samira Khan  3 , E Angela Murphy  4 , Sue P Heiney  5 , Lisa C Davis  6 , Briana Davis  7 , Ruby F Drayton  8 , Thomas G Hurley  9 , Steven N Blair  10 , James R Hébert  11
Affiliations

The association of C-reactive protein and physical activity among a church-based population of African Americans

Swann Arp Adams et al. Prev Med. 2015 Aug.

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.

Conclusion: Physical activity may improve chronic inflammation, which is a primary pathophysiological mechanism for numerous chronic disorders, especially among minority populations.

Keywords: African American; C-reactive protein; Inflammation; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest:

Steven N. Blair serves on the scientific advisory boards of Technogym, Clarity, and Santech. He has received research funding from Coca-Cola Company, BodyMedia, Technogym, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Institutes of Health. He receives book royalties from Human Kinetics.

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