Acute effects of dark chocolate on perceived exertion and short-distance running performance in active young adults

Using a randomized, controlled, crossover design, this study investigated the acute effects of a single 40g dose of less than 70% cocoa dark chocolate on 400 meter sprint performance and perceived exertion in 20 physically active males (ages 18 to 25). Participants consumed the dark chocolate or a control one hour before sprinting, following strict dietary restrictions and a 10-hour fast to isolate the impact of cocoa flavanols and stimulants. Performance was measured via timed sprints and the Borg 1 to 10 RPE scale, with a 7 day washout period between trials to evaluate whether dark chocolate serves as an effective acute ergogenic aid for anaerobic exercise.