| THE EFFECT OF SIX WEEKS OF SELECTED BADMINTON TRAINING COMBINED WITH DARK CHOCOLATE CONSUMPTION ON ANXIETY LEVELS IN ADOLESCENT FEMALE STUDENTS WITH ANXIETY |
| Paper ID : 1161-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
|
الهام بادین1, ابوطالب باقری *2, سعید تنورساز2, لیلا مومنی2 1گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران. 2گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، واحد دزفول، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، دزفول، ایران |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders during adolescence, particularly among girls, and it can negatively affect academic performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life. Given the growing interest in non-pharmacological approaches to managing anxiety, physical activity and healthy nutrition are considered effective strategies. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of selected badminton training combined with dark chocolate consumption on anxiety levels in adolescent girls.. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 adolescent girls aged 12-18 with anxiety were purposefully selected and assigned to three groups of 10 participants each: exercise + placebo, exercise + supplement (dark chocolate), and control. The intervention consisted of six weeks of badminton training, with three sessions per week. The supplement group consumed 30 grams of 70% cocoa dark chocolate daily. Participants’ anxiety levels were assessed using the Cattell Anxiety Questionnaire at pre- and post-intervention stages. Results: The Kruskal–Wallis test indicated no significant differences between the groups at pre-test (P = 0.094), but significant differences were observed at post-test (P=0.034). The Mann–Whitney test further revealed a significant difference between the exercise + supplement group and the placebo group (P=0.015). Conclusion: Six weeks of badminton training combined with dark chocolate consumption resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety. This effect is likely mediated through shared neurophysiological mechanisms of the two interventions: exercise enhances mood and reduces sympathetic arousal by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, while dark chocolate, rich in flavonoids and theobromine, improves cerebral blood flow, promotes serotonin synthesis, and reduces cortisol levels. The synergistic effects of these interventions, through modulation of the HPA axis and reduction of neuroinflammation, may contribute to anxiety reduction. Therefore, combining regular badminton training with dark chocolate consumption represents a simple and low-risk strategy for managing anxiety in adolescents. |
| Keywords |
| Anxiety, Adolescent girls, Badminton Training, Dark Chocolate |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
