ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studies have shown that physical activity levels can be inversely associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. However, the amount of physical activity required to maintain normal hs-CRP levels is still a matter for speculation.
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the amount of physical activity necessary to discriminate the hs-CRP levels in adults.
DESIGN AND SETTING:
Cross-sectional study at six teaching and research institutions.
METHODS:
The study sample comprised 10,231 adults aged 35 to 74 years who were participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to compare the amount of physical activity in two domains (leisure time and commuting) with hs-CRP levels. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated to identify the best cutoff for physical activity level that would be needed to maintain normal levels of hs-CRP (< 3 mg/l).
RESULTS:
The area under the ROC curve was only statistically significant for discriminating normal levels of hs-CRP according to the amount of physical activity when the two study domains were added together. The accumulated physical activity level of 200 minutes/week was the best cutoff for discriminating normal levels of hs-CRP in adults of both sex.
CONCLUSIONS:
Physical activity in the leisure-time and commuting domains together, of duration 200 minutes/week, was associated with normal hs-CRP values.
KEY WORDS (MeSH terms):
Motor activity; Risk factors; ROC curve; Cardiovascular diseases; Inflammation
AUTHORS’ KEY WORDS:
Exercises; Chronic diseases; ELSA-Brasil
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