University of Alabama at Birmingham
The purpose of the study is to see if regular exercise when combined with a cocoa supplement will improve physical performance and muscle strength compared to regular exercise alone.
Diminished mitochondrial function, excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage are key contributors to age-related physical capacity and muscle strength decline. Adaptation to aerobic and strength exercise training is currently one of the most effective ways to preserve physical performance and muscle strength in older adults. Aerobic and resistance exercise training improves mitochondrial function and stabilizes production of ROS, which contribute to aerobic capacity as well as strength improvements. However, obtaining optimal effects of exercise…
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 55 years and older * Slow walking speed of \< 1m/s * Willingness to be randomized to either treatment group * Willingness to participate in all study procedures (muscle biopsy will be optional) Exclusion Criteria: * Failure to provide informed consent; * Regular consumption of flavanol and/or cocoa supplements * Current involvement in supervised rehabilitation/exercise training program * Absolute contraindication(s) to exercise training according to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines \[17\] * Daytime average of systolic blood pressure ≥ 180/100mm Hg. *…
12 weeks of daily cocoa (2 capsules/d containing 450 mg cocoa flavanols/d, including 80 mg of (-)-epicatechin) combined with aerobic (30min of moderate-intensity walking) and resistance (30 min of whole-body workout) exercise training 3 times a week
12 weeks of placebo (alike-looking cellulose-based capsules) combined with aerobic (30min of moderate-intensity walking) and resistance (30 min of whole-body workout) exercise training 3 times a week
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