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Cocoa and Exercise for Mobility in Older Adults

This study, called COMET, is looking at whether a cocoa supplement combined with exercise can improve physical performance and muscle strength in older adults with mobility challenges. You would either receive a special cocoa supplement called (-)-Epicatechin-rich cocoa along with exercise training, or a placebo (an inactive capsule) along with the same exercise training. The exercise involves walking and a whole-body workout three times a week for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure your walking ability to see if the cocoa and exercise combination is more effective than exercise alone. To join, you need to be 55 or older, walk slowly, and be willing to be assigned to either group. The study plans to enroll 36 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing two groups: one receiving a cocoa supplement plus exercise, and another receiving a placebo plus exercise. It plans to enroll 36 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in exercise training three times a week for 12 weeks and take capsules daily. You would also have visits at the beginning, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks to measure your walking ability.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your walking ability will be measured at the 6-week and 12-week follow-up visits.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07161726

Cocoa to Maximize Exercise Training in Older Adults - The COMET Trial

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 55+InterventionalTreatment
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~36 participants
Updated 2026-05-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:(-)-Epicatechin-rich cocoa supplementation combined with exercise trainingPlacebo combined with exercise training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
6-min walk test
Measured over At the baseline, 6-week, and 12-week follow-up visits.

Conditions

Mobility Disability

Explore related trials

Ability to mobilize

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Alabama1

Study leadership

  • Robert T Mankowski, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Alabama at Birmingham

Who to contact

Robert T Mankowski, PhD
[email protected]
205-996-3006
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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.
Refusal to stop blood thinners such as baby aspirin dose.
Peripheral vascular disease; peripheral neuropathy; retinopathy
Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina;
Myocardial infarction or stroke within past year
Significant cognitive impairment, including known dementia diagnosis or a Mini-Mental State Examination exam score \< 24
Progressive, degenerative neurologic disease, e.g., Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis;
Severe rheumatologic or orthopedic diseases, e.g., awaiting joint replacement, active inflammatory disease;
Severe pulmonary disease, requiring either steroid pills or injections or the use of supplemental oxygen;
Hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery within past 4 months;
Other significant co-morbid conditions that would impair ability to participate in the exercise-based intervention
Simultaneous participation in another interventional trial

What this trial measures

  • 6-min walk testAt the baseline, 6-week, and 12-week follow-up visits.

    We will assess exercise capacity of participants using the 6-min walk test, a safe and reliable test of aerobic endurance in older persons. This test has strong reproducibility, with intra-subject coefficients of variation averaging \< 10%, and has a modest correlation with peak VO2peak. Participants will be asked to walk as far and fast as possible for 6-min on a 60 m distance making u-turns at 60m and start line cones.