The Effect of Dark Chocolate on Oxidative Stress Parameters After High-Intensity Kickboxing Training

Increasing evidence of exercise induced oksidative damage and impairment of athlete performance spurs extensive research on the evaluation of muscle protection by antioxidant supplementation in exercise. Many studies have identified the potential antioxidant effect of polyphenols, a large groupof natural compounds found in foods and beverages. The aim of our study is to investigate whether dark chocolate, which has been consumed in recent years due to its positive effects on human healty, has an effect on oxidant and antioxidant stress parameters. Twenty male kickboxers, aged between 19-24, who attended the National Team camp without any health problems, were included in the study. On the first day of the camp, after the height and weight measurements of all the athletes, 10 cc venous blood samples were taken. Afterwards, the athletes were randomly divided into 2 groups of 10 people as Chocolate Receiving Group (ÇK) and Control Group (KG). The CC group was fed 40 grams of dark chocolate at 09:00 in the morning before the training, but the KG was not given chocolate. All the athletes did high-intensity kickboxing training for 1 hour each in the morning and afternoon. At 18:00 in the evening, 10 cc blood samples were taken again, centrifuged, and the serums were separated and stored at -80 °C. To determine oxidant stress; malondialdehyde (MDA), to determine antioxidant capacity; Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values ​​were measured by spectrophotometric method. After it was determined that the data showed normal distribution, the paired t test was performed. Our findings did not show a significant change in GSPH, MDA, TAC values, although there were increases and decreases in both the control group and the chocolate group. It was observed that only SOD values ​​were significantly effective in whether the athletes took chocolate or not. As a result, regular exercise is more effective than dark chocolate in improving antioxidant capacity. Key words: exercise, dark chocolate, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, kick boxing