Cardiorespiratory fitness and C-reactive protein among a tri-ethnic sample of women

Circulation. 2002 Jul 23;106(4):403-6. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000025425.20606.69.

Abstract

Background: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Cardiorespiratory fitness ("fitness") is related with lower CHD risk; however, its relationship with CRP is relatively unknown.

Methods and results: Cross-sectional associations between fitness and plasma CRP were examined among 135 African American (AA), Native American (NA), and Caucasian (CA) women (55+/-11 year; 28+/-6 kg/m2). Fitness was assessed with a maximal treadmill exercise test. Plasma CRP concentrations were determined with the Dade Behring high-sensitivity immunoassay. Geometric mean CRP levels were 0.43, 0.25, and 0.23 mg/dL, and average maximal MET levels of fitness were 7.2, 9.1, and 10 METs for AA, NA, and CA, respectively. CRP decreased across tertiles of fitness (P=0.002), increased across tertiles of BMI (P=0.0007), and varied by race (P=0.002). After adjustment for covariates, lower CRP (P<0.05) was observed across tertiles of fitness among NA and CA, but not AA. Among all women, after adjusting for race and covariates, the odds of high-risk CRP (>0.19 mg/dL) were 0.67 (95% CI=0.19 to 2.4) among fit (>6.5 METs) versus unfit women.

Conclusions: The health benefits from enhanced fitness may have an antiinflammatory mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Black People
  • Black or African American
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Coronary Disease / ethnology
  • Coronary Disease / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Risk Factors
  • White People

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein