Changes in High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels After Two-Weeks of Moderate-Intensity Endurance Exercise in Obese Women

Abstract

Study purpose. The study purpose was to analyze the effect of moderate-intensity endurance exercise on reducing inflammation in obese women. Materials and methods. Twenty obese women selected according to the established criteria were used as subjects. Then the subjects were divided into two groups: the control group (G1) and the endurance exercise group (G2). Moderate-intensity endurance exercise was performed by running on a treadmill for 40 minutes, with a frequency of 5 times/week for 2 weeks. Moderate-intensity was performed with 60%-70% HRmax (HRmax formula: 220-age). Blood sampling for inflammation measurement using the biomarker High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was performed before and after the intervention for 2 weeks. hs-CRP was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. A paired sample t-test with a significant level (p ≤ 0.05) was used for data analysis. Results. The results showed the mean hs-CRP levels between before and after the intervention in G1 (6.76±4.40 vs. 6.43±4.89 ng/mL, (p=0.641)) and G2 (6.56±3.34 vs. 2.12±1.14 ng/mL, (p=0.004)). Conclusions. The study indicates that moderate-intensity endurance exercise has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation levels in obese women, so individuals with obesity are advised to reduce inflammation levels through moderate-intensity endurance exercise.

Keywords

• endurance exercise
• inflammation levels
• obesity
• healthy lifestyle