Moderate Intensities of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Are Associated With Lower Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Healthy Middle-Aged Men

Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), reflective of systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, is a marker associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the mechanisms through which physical activity might promote cardiovascular health is by preventing changes in inflammation biomarkers, such as CRP. The present study examined the association of self-reported physical activity with an inflammation biomarker, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), in a population-based cohort of clinically healthy 58-year-old men. Compared with a sedentary lifestyle both moderate (1.81 [0.94-3.69] vs 1.28 [0.55-2.90] mg/L; P < .05) and vigorous physical activity (1.81 [0.94-3.69] vs 0.88 [0.42-1.81] mg/L; P < .001) were associated with decrease in hs-CRP levels. In summary, we identified an association between self-reported leisure time physical activity and hs-CRP in a cross-sectional study of healthy 58-year-old men, with decreased levels of CRP by increased intensities of physical activity.