Occupational and leisure physical activity may have varying effects on inflammation by Nicholas Ng Fat Hing, Avneesh Bhangu +Originally published by 2 Minute Medicine® (view original article). Reused on AccessMedicine with permission. +1. Lower leisure time physical activity and higher occupational physical activity were associated with increased high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. +2. When analyzed as continuous variables, only leisure time physical activity was strongly associated with hs-CRP levels. +Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good) +Paradoxically, physical activity associated with one’s occupation has been shown in the literature to increase cardiovascular disease and mortality; a finding that does not hold true for physical activity associated with leisure. Though many mechanisms have been proposed, sustained systemic inflammation (measured through hs-CRP levels) may be an important contributor. In order to further study this association, the objective of the present cross-sectional study was to determine the extent to which physical activity performed during work and leisure time was associated with systemic inflammation. +The present study used data from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) cohort. Of 12656 invited participants, 5304 had blood samples taken, including the hs-CRP biomarker. Occupational physical activity was measured based on self-reported job history with a job exposure matrix. Leisure time physical activity was self-reported using the CAMB questionnaire. The association between the two types of physical activity and hs-CRP was done using multivariable linear regression models as well as post-hoc analyses. +Results demonstrated that lower leisure time physical activity and higher occupational physical activity were associated with increased high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Furthermore, when analyzed as continuous variables, only leisure time physical activity was strongly associated with hs-CRP levels. Despite these findings, the study was limited by the risk of misclassification, as physical activity was based on job title. Nonetheless, the inclusion of a large number of participants strengthened the findings of the present study and the fact that systemic inflammation may in fact explain the physical activity paradox. +Click to read the study in British Journal of Sports Medicine +©2022 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.