Association between physical activity and markers of inflammation in a healthy elderly population

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower risk of cardio vascular disease. There is growing evidence that the development of the ath erosclerotic plaque is associated with inflammation. In this study, the aut hors investigated the cross-sectional association between physical activity and markers of inflammation in a healthy elderly population. Data obtained in 1989-1990 and 1992-1993 from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a cohort of 5,888 men and women aged greater than or equal to 65 years, were analyze d. Concentrations of the inflammation markers-C-reactive protein, fibrinoge n, Factor VIII activity, white blood cells, and albumin-were compared cross -sectionally by quartile of self-reported physical activity, Compared with persons in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile of physical a ctivity had 19%, 6%, 4%, and 3% lower concentrations of C-reactive protein, white blood cells, fibrinogen, and Factor VIII activity, respectively, aft er adjustment for gender, the presence of cardiovascular disease, age, race , smoking, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension. Multivariate regres sion models suggested that the association of higher levels of physical act ivity with lower levels of inflammation markers may be mediated by body mas s index and glucose. There was no association between physical activity and albumin. Higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower con centrations of four out of five inflammation markers in this elderly cohort . These data suggest that increased exercise is associated with reduced inf lammation. Prospective studies will be required for verification of these f indings.