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Training leads to decreases in markers of inflammation

Both aerobic and strength training, seem to lead to lower levels of systemic inflammation, apparently due to strength increases and loss of fat.


The effect of aerobic versus strength-based training on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in older adults


Increased levels of inflammatory markers, namely, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), have been associated with several chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Forty-five women and men aged >64 years participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two exercise intervention groups and a non-exercising control group. The participants assigned to the exercising groups followed a 16-week exercise protocol based either on aerobic training (AT) or strength training (ST) followed by a further 16 weeks off-training period. The control group (C) remained sedentary throughout the study. Evaluation of body mass, BMI, waist circumference, aerobic endurance, lower-body strength, upper-body strength, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP were performed at baseline, after 16 weeks (post-training for the exercise groups) and at 32 weeks (follow-up). Both, AT and ST groups significantly increased functional fitness at the end of the exercise programs when compared to baseline values. hs-CRP concentrations were maintained throughout the study for the C group, while decreasing 10% at 16 weeks and 51% at 32 weeks for the AT group. In the ST group the hs-CRP concentrations decreased by 11 and 39% at 16 and 32 weeks, respectively. Decreases in hs-CRP concentrations were statistically significant for the AT and ST groups at the 32-week evaluation when compared to baseline. Reduction in hs-CRP concentrations seemed to be associated with strength gains and adiposity loss.
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FoodIsFuel said…
The ACSM just released a study that contradicts this one, sort of. They attempted to design the study to effect of exercise on CRP among obese individuals. What they found was that only those individuals that lost weight saw a reduction in CRP. They hypothesis that while exercise can reduce CRP for people who are already a healthy weight, it is necessary for obese individuals to lose weight (specifically body fat), in order to see the same reduction in CRP. Interesting.
May 11, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Chris D said…
@FoodIsFuel

have a link handy for the ACSM study?

this study seems to support the idea that boilerplate cardio decreases CRP in older women over the period of year.

A Yearlong Exercise Intervention Decreases CRP among Obese Postmenopausal Women
May 17, 2010 at 4:54 PM
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