## 4 Discussion

Table 2: External load variables during training sessions and match play in the examined conditions. DC means dark chocolate. M means mean, and SD means standard deviation. \(p\) means \(p\) value. *_p_ < 0.05.  
that the administration of 40 g for 30 days of dark chocolate to elite soccer players resulted in a significant reduction in muscle soreness. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [38] conducted a study in which the administration of a smaller amount of dark chocolate, specifically 25 g, also led to a noticeable reduction in perceived muscle soreness in elite soccer players. Furthermore, a recent review by [PERSON] et al. [39] concluded that phenolic compounds, abundant in dark chocolate, effectively reduce muscle soreness in athletes. The ingestion of phenolic compounds appears to be beneficial, as they suppress inflammation, reduce oxidative damage, and facilitate the recovery of muscle strength and soreness. These effects collectively contribute to enhanced physical performance, endurance, and recovery in athletes. Although this study assesses the immediate effects of dark chocolate consumption, it is conceivable that the mood-enhancing effects could become more pronounced or accumulate with regular, long-term consumption due to potential physiological adaptations or sustained psychological associations. Furthermore, consuming a larger quantity of dark chocolate may further amplify these effects. Regarding the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), our findings are consistent with those reported in the literature. For example, the study by [PERSON] et al. [40] found that the acute consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate by a group of physically active young individuals did not result in any significant differences in RPE compared to a control group. Similarly, in a study by [PERSON] et al. [27], an intake of 100 g of dark chocolate by physically active subjects (four times the dosage administered in our study) also reported no statistically significant differences in RPE between the dark chocolate group and the control group. The results of this study indicate that the consumption of chocolate, rich in flavonoids, may have an impact on athletic performance, both during training and in competition. In this case, the group that consumed dark chocolate exhibited an increase in distance covered at very high deceleration. Additionally, the very high deceleration per minute observed in this group may positively influence the muscular response to eccentric contractions. This effect can be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of flavonoids, which reduce oxidative stress and exercise-induced muscle inflammation. The flavonoids in chocolate can reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals produced during intense exercise [41]. This can help to minimize muscle damage induced by eccentric contractions. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids can reduce the post-exercise inflammatory response, thereby improving muscle recovery and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Flavonoids enhance vascular function by stimulating the production of nitric oxide (NO), which facilitates vasodilation and improves blood flow. Improved blood flow can facilitate a greater supply of nutrients and oxygen to muscles, thereby accelerating the recovery process following eccentric contractions. Furthermore, enhanced blood flow can diminish the accumulation of toxic metabolites and accelerate the elimination of waste products, thereby facilitating enhanced muscle regeneration [42]. The potential impact of cocoa flavonoids (CF) on performance may be attributed to their antioxidant properties and the delayed fatigue induced by the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These mechanisms may explain the increased deceleration distance observed in our study, since improved muscle recovery and pain reduction could influence motor control during physical activity.