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

Exclusion Criteria16

• 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