Resistin concentration is inversely associated with objectively measured physical activity in healthy older women

Regular physical activity (PA) has been associated with decreased risk of many chronic diseases and increased longevity among older adults. In addition, ageing has been associated with higher levels of different inflammatory biomarkers while the association between inflammatory biomarkers and PA has remained controversial. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the association between blood biomarkers and objectively assessed PA among a sample of healthy older women with different levels of PA engagement. A total of 81 healthy women were recruited. Study participants were allocated to three groups according to accelerometer-obtained PA data. Body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of resistin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. There were no significant differences between groups for resistin, leptin, TNF alpha and for CRP concentrations; however, higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) groups tended to have lower level of blood biomarker concentrations. There was a significant negative relationship between resistin and steps per day. Inverse association between leptin and MVPA was significant after controlling for age. In multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis, steps per day were the strongest independent predictor for resistin, whereas for leptin, TNF alpha and CRP the strongest independent predictor was whole body fat mass. In conclusion, this study demonstrated negative association between resistin concentration and steps per day. Sedentary time and light PA had no relationship with resistin, leptin, TNF alpha or CRP concentrations.