Actively Recruiting
Cocoa to Maximize Exercise Training in Older Adults - The COMET Trial
Led by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Updated on 2026-05-08
36
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
88 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Cocoa to Maximize Exercise Training in Older Adults - The COMET Trial
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 55 years and older
- Slow walking speed of less than 1 meter per second
- Willingness to be randomly assigned to either treatment group
- Willingness to participate in all study procedures (muscle biopsy is optional)
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Regular use of flavanol or cocoa supplements
- Participation in a supervised rehabilitation or exercise program
- Absolute contraindications to exercise training per American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
- Daytime systolic blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg or higher
- Refusal to stop blood thinners like baby aspirin
- Peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, or retinopathy
- Severe cardiac disease including advanced heart failure, significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina
- Heart attack or stroke within the past year
- Significant cognitive impairment or dementia (Mini-Mental State Exam score below 24)
- Progressive neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis
- Severe rheumatologic or orthopedic diseases, including recent joint replacement or active inflammatory disease
- Severe lung disease requiring steroids or supplemental oxygen
- Hip fracture, hip/knee replacement, or spinal surgery within the past 4 months
- Other serious conditions impairing exercise participation
- Participation in another interventional trial
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Robert T Mankowski, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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