Physical Activity and Inflammatory Markers Over 10 Years

Abstract

Background Inflammatory processes are putative mechanisms underlying the cardio-protective effects of physical activity. An inverse association between physical activity and inflammation has been demonstrated but no long-term prospective data are available. We therefore examined the association between physical activity and inflammatory markers over a 10-year follow-up period. Methods and Results Participants were 4289 men and women (mean age 49.2 years) from the Whitehall II cohort study. Self-reported physical activity and inflammatory markers (serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) were measured at baseline (1991) and follow-up (2002). Forty-nine percent of the participants adhered to standard physical activity recommendations for cardiovascular health (2.5 hours per week moderate to vigorous physical activity) across all assessments. Physically active participants at baseline had lower CRP and IL6 levels and this difference remained stable over time. In comparison to participants that rarely adhered to physical activity guidelines over the 10 years follow-up, the high adherence group displayed lower logeCRP (β=−0.07, 95% CI, −0.12, −0.02) and logeIL-6 (β=−0.07, 95% CI, −0.10, −0.03) at follow up after adjustment for a range of covariates. Compared to participants that remained stable, those that reported an increase in physical activity of at least 2.5 hours/wk displayed lower loge CRP (B coefficient =−0.05, 95% CI, −0.10, −0.001) and loge IL-6 (B coefficient =−0.06, 95% CI, −0.09, −0.03) at follow up. Conclusions Regular physical activity is associated with lower markers of inflammation over 10 years of follow-up and thus may be important in preventing the pro-inflammatory state seen with ageing.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers at Age 60 to 64 Years

“…Given that associations were only partly mediated by fat mass (albeit with greater mediation in women than men), adiposity may not be the only route through which PA benefits cardiovascular health,49 and this is consistent with studies showing persisting associations after adjustment for body size 50, 51. Further, our finding that fat mass mediated a large proportion of the associations between VO 2 max and CVD biomarkers is consistent with studies reporting that effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular structure52 and components of the metabolic syndrome53 were explained by adiposity.…”

Low muscle mass in older men: The role of lifestyle, diet and cardiovascular risk factors

“…this is consistent with other studies (34,35) and a review suggesting sarcopenia is a low-level inflammatory state driven by cytokines and oxidative stress (11). these findings highlight the importance of reducing inflammation in older adults, potentially through lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical activity or an anti-inflammatory diet, especially since inflammatory markers increase with age (22,36). Associations between vWF and t-PA with low muscle mass were novel and consistent with a review suggesting that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to sarcopenia development (12).…”

mActive: A Randomized Clinical Trial of an Automated mHealth Intervention for Physical Activity Promotion

“…During a mean of 6 years, each 2000 step/day increase in physical activity was associated with a ≈10% relative reduction in the incidence of CVD 17. Sustaining regular physical activity over the long term is associated with a more favorable circulating metabolome19 and decreased markers of inflammation 20. Benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness may extend to non‐CVD diseases, such as cancer, depression, and dementia, with a dose‐dependent reduction in all‐cause mortality 21, 22, 23, 24…”