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Changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors and C‐reactive protein following a 500‐mile, 30‐day pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago
Author(s) -
Wolf Michelle R.,
Harris M. Brennan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a935-c
Subject(s) - pilgrimage , blood pressure , medicine , endocrinology , blood lipids , c reactive protein , cholesterol , geography , inflammation , archaeology
The purpose of this study was to determine if C‐reactive protein levels decreased following a 500‐mile, 30‐day pilgrimage independent of levels of other markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Subjects (n=11) were between 18 and 55 years old (mean age, 25.81 ± 14.8). There were 8 male subjects and 3 female subjects. Measurements for blood pressure, C‐reactive protein, blood lipids, and CBC, were take pre and post‐pilgrimage. Blood lipid measurements included HDL, LDL, CHOL/HDL ratio, and triglycerides. Body weight was measured pre, twice during, and post pilgrimage. Skinfolds were used to determine percent body fat pre, during, and post pilgrimage. Cardiovascular fitness was determined pre, twice during, and post pilgrimage, using the Tecumseh step test. Subjects wore a Polar S625x heart rate monitor while walking and the average intensity of exercise was calculated to be 55.96% of maximum HRR. Three food diaries were recorded to estimate energy intake. Blood pressure, percent body fat, and body weight were significantly decreased (p<0.05) following the pilgrimage. No changes in CRP or other blood markers for CVD were observed as a result of the pilgrimage. Therefore the increase in energy expenditure during the pilgrimage appears to account for the reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.