Association between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students

JIANG Tangjun; LI Tingting; TAO Shuman; ZOU Liwei; YANG Yajuan; TAO Fangbiao; WU Xiaoyan

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025186

Volume 46 Issue 6

Jun. 2025

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JIANG Tangjun, LI Tingting, TAO Shuman, ZOU Liwei, YANG Yajuan, TAO Fangbiao, WU Xiaoyan. Association between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 847-851. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025186

Citation:

JIANG Tangjun, LI Tingting, TAO Shuman, ZOU Liwei, YANG Yajuan, TAO Fangbiao, WU Xiaoyan. Association between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 847-851. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025186

Citation:

JIANG Tangjun, LI Tingting, TAO Shuman, ZOU Liwei, YANG Yajuan, TAO Fangbiao, WU Xiaoyan. Association between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(6): 847-851. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025186

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Association between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025186

JIANG Tangjun¹,
LI Tingting¹,
TAO Shuman^{1, 2},
ZOU Liwei^{1, 2},
YANG Yajuan^{1, 2},
TAO Fangbiao^{1, 2},
WU Xiaoyan^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei (230032), Anhui Province, China

Received Date: 2025-02-14
Rev Recd Date: 2025-06-02

Available Online: 2025-07-04

Publish Date: 2025-06-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To analyze the association and dose-response relationship between physical activity and inflammatory markers in college students, so as to provide a reference for promoting cardiometabolic health in college students. Methods A cluster random sampling method was used to select 747 college students from two universities in Hefei, Anhui Province and Shangrao, Jiangxi Province from April to May 2019. Physical activity was assessed by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and peripheral blood was collected to detect plasma inflammatory factor levels [including hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. The differences between the groups were compared by using the χ² test and the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and the association between physical activity and inflammatory markers was analyzed by using the Generalized Linear Model. The dose-response relationship between physical activity and inflammatory markers was analyzed using the Restricted Cubic Spline Model. Results The proportions of low physical activity, moderate physical activity, and high physical activity groups of college students were 15.9%, 53.7% and 30.4%, respectively. The levels of hsCRP, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the high physical activity group were 0.38(0.21, 1.10)mg/L, 70.74(47.90, 116.43)pg/mL, 1.75(1.21, 2.64)pg/mL, 4.33(2.93, 6.82)pg/mL, 5.27(3.89, 7.30)pg/mL, the levels in the low physical activity group were 0.80(0.31, 1.30)mg/L, 73.88(47.90, 124.24)pg/mL, 1.88(1.42, 2.81) pg/mL, 4.82 (3.64, 6.67) pg/mL, 5.63 (4.34, 7.62)pg/mL, the levels in the moderate physical activity group were 0.63(0.25, 1.30)mg/L, 89.78(58.21, 127.65)pg/mL, 2.21(1.59, 3.27)pg/mL, 5.15(3.72, 7.72)pg/mL, 5.87(4.63, 8.00)g/mL, and the differences were statistically significant (H=10.66, 11.38, 27.79, 14.13, 9.44, P < 0.05). After adjusting for variables such as gender, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption and health status, the results of Generalized Linear Model showed that compared with the high physical activity group, the low physical activity group (OR=2.20, 95%CI=1.46-3.31) and the moderate physical activity group (OR=1.65, 95%CI=1.22-2.25) were more likely to have high levels of hsCRP, and the moderate physical activity group was more likely to have high levels of IL-1β (OR=1.85, 95%CI=1.36-2.51), IL-6 (OR=1.44, 95%CI=1.06-1.96), and TNF-α (OR=1.43, 95%CI=1.05-1.94) (P < 0.05). The Restricted Cubic Spline Model showed that there was no linear dose-response relationship between the time of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity weekly and IL-10, IL-6, II-1β, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Conclusion There is an association between physical activity and inflammation in college students, and moderate to high intensity per week could reduce inflammation levels to promote cardiometabolic health in college students.
- Motor activity,
- Cytokines,
- Dose-response relationship,
- Students

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References(30)

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