The Effect of Eight Weeks of Water Resistance Training with Dark Chocolate Consumption on Plasma Levels of Endothelin-1, Nitric Oxide and Quality of Life in Elderly Women

Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in regulating vascular activity by producing vascular active substances such as endothelin-1 and nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of water resistance training with dark chocolate consumption on plasma levels of endothelin-1, nitric oxide and quality of life in elderly women.

 In this semi-experimental study, 37 elderly women (mean ± standard deviation; age, 65.6 ± 3.1 years; weight 75.71 ± 7.7 kg) were purposefully divided into four complementary groups. Supplementation and exercise, exercise and control were included. The training protocol was performed for eight weeks of water resistance training. Supplementation of 30 grams of 83% dark chocolate daily was used for 8 weeks. Quality of life index was measured by SF-36 evaluation and plasma endolin-1 levels by ELISA and serum nitrite levels as the main metabolite of NO. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni’s post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.

The results showed that the mean quality of life index in the water resistance training group was significantly higher than the control group in elderly women (p = 0.036). Also, the mean NO levels in the combined group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001). But the mean levels of endothelin-1 in the combined group were significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.012).

Based on the present results, it can be concluded that resistance training in water along with consumption of dark chocolate may reduce endothelin-1 levels and increase NO levels to improve endothelial function and increase quality of life in elderly women.