Identifier

etd-11122009-172512

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether endurance or endurance + resistance training would influence circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and if these changes are related to alterations in aerobic fitness and/or body composition. METHODS: Fifty eight healthy young adults aged 18-24 yrs (78% female) were assigned to one of three groups: 1) endurance training (E) (n=18), 2) endurance + resistance training (ER) (n=11), or 3) active control (AC) (n=29). The E group completed 15 weeks of endurance training for either a half marathon (n=6) or full marathon (n=12). The ER group performed 15 weeks of periodized resistance training in addition to the half marathon (n=3) or full marathon (n=8) training. The AC group continued the same exercise routine that they had used prior to becoming a study participant. Pre and post measures included: a 1.5 mile run, 8 rep max (8 RMs; ER group only) on the bench and leg presses, height, weight, waist and hip circumference, DXA, and plasma CRP (ELISA). RESULTS: At baseline, no significant differences were observed between groups. In the E group only, estimated VO2 max significantly increased 12.45% from 38.9 ± 3.8 ml/min/kg to 43.8 ± 7.5 ml/min/kg (mean ± SD) (P < 0.05) and total percent body fat decreased significantly 1.7% from 29.4% ± 8.3 to 27.7 ± 8.8 (mean ± SD) (P < 0.05). In the ER group only, plasma CRP concentrations decreased, but not significantly from 1.59 ± 1.2 mg/L to 0.99 ± 0.5 mg/L (mean ± SD) (P = 0.16). All other measures for the ER group did not change significantly. In addition, while the E and AC groups remained in the average risk category for CRP levels (1-3 mg/L) at the post intervention time point, the ER group entered the low risk category (< 1 mg/L) with an average CRP concentration of 0.99 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Combined endurance and resistance training may be an effective modality for reducing plasma CRP in young adults. However, improvements in aerobic capacity and total percent body fat do not appear to affect changes in CRP. FUNDING: Louisiana State University

Date

2009

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Stewart, Laura

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1833

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