Assessment of Serum Level of Highly Sensitive C-reactive Protein (Hs-Crp) and Uric Acid among Adult Athletes in Aba Metropolis

Abstract

Purpose: The long-term positive effect of physical activity on the incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and life expectancy are well known. This has led to many stressing the importance of exercising to promote optimal health. This study is therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of physical exercise on serum level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and Uric acid among adult athletes in Aba Metropolis of Abia State. Methodology: Hundred adults were used for the study. Fifty subjects served as control and were randomly selected. The remaining fifty, twenty-five were males and twenty-five were females. Thirteen out of the twenty-five males and females exercise regularly while twelve exercises seldom. However for inclusion criteria the person had to be an athlete and for exclusion criteria, persons with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, stroke rheumatoid arthritis and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases were excluded.  Blood sample was collected by venipuncture and was used to determine Highly Sensitive C-Reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and Uric Acid using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay machine and Semi automated Analyzer respectively. Data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25), One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and student t- test. Significance level for analysis was set at P-value 0.05 (P=<0.05). Findings: The result from the study revealed that regularly exercising athletes had significantly lower Hs-CRP values than the control group. Observed as well was that regularly exercising athletes had lower HsCRP values than seldom-exercising athletes. Conversely, the uric acid level of those that exercise regularly increased compared to those seldomly exercise. This study has yet added to the need and importance of exercise in order to stay in optimal health. Recommendation: People without health issue should be encouraged to exercise regularly but this should not be outside consulting their health care giver.