FEATURE training to all my patients to help them maintain their adjustments, and bene-fits to their bone density, cardiovascular function, blood sugar regulation, body composition, and mental health. The sessions were short and physi-cally and mentally demanding. Within a short time, they became invigorating with recovery taking place almost im-mediately. The essence of this super-slow train-ing method was to have individual muscle groups under tension for up to two minutes, and that the point of each exercise was to induce muscular fail-ure. One to two minutes of “time under tension,” sufficient enough to cause the muscle to fail, will stimulate the adap-tive response of muscle growth. Five to seven resistance exercises would be planned per weekly session with a clip-board and stop-watch to ensure that the appropriate weights and time was being recorded. Meetings were a week apart to allow full recovery. Muscle strengthening and hypertrophy appears to take place relatively quickly, and results are noticeable in less than a month with only weekly sessions. Ses-sions are very intense but fortunately brief. Experiencing muscular failure is unpleasant at first, and for this and other reasons, experts recommend the use of trusted and well-made equip-ment for compound exercises. The likelihood of injury during a properly supervised high-intensity session of strength training using equipment is insignificant when compared to other training methods. I believe patients can and do appre-ciate chiropractic to be central to healthy living and chiropractors need to set the example with their health. Almost everyone can afford 20 minutes each week to do high intensity “su-per-slow” resistance training at the gym. As the average Canadian adult consumes 14 hours of television a week, 20 minutes of spare time seems man-ageable. This type of resistance training is relatively easy, extremely safe and appropriate for all ages. An appropri-ately trained fitness consultant with access to high-tech and safe machines are recommended for best results. At age 61, after seven years of training, I have never felt better. I believe that I can attribute that outcome to the com-bination of regular monthly 22 Canadian Chiropractor September 2019 “The rebranding of exercise to include the term ‘maneuver’ will resonate with patients...” chiropractic care combined with weekly high-intensity strength and resistance training. Conclusions and opportunities Given that the scientific literature now recommends chiropractic care to be combined with exercise, I believe that the re-branding of exercise to include the term “maneuver” will resonate with patients and may help improve clinical outcomes. Whether they are acute, sub-acute or maintenance patients, they will benefit from daily maneuvers if they are maintained throughout their lives. Commencing high-intensity strength training should be a goal for patients transitioning from acute care and who are seeking further vitality while pre-venting chronic lifestyle-related disease. It is safe, incredibly useful and very helpful in supporting the adjustment. To my knowledge at this time, there is no regulated health profession that is routinely advocating for patients the documented health benefits of high-in-tensity super-slow resistance training. I challenge chiropractors to actively resist the presumed natural decline in health and vitality that accompanies ageing and utilize super-slow strength training to improve patient outcomes as well as their health. Chiropractors who demonstrate knowledge, profi-ciency in health maintenance, and can set a personal example in the area of prevention and fitness and will be able to practice as long as they wish. Should chiropractors and their edu-cational institutions begin to include the well-researched prescription of high-intensity resistance training as an advanced part of the chiropractic inter-vention and the chiropractic lifestyle, chiropractic could legitimately claim a stronger role as leaders in health pro-motion and chronic disease prevention. As a CCA Government Relations representative, I have learned that gov-ernment is very receptive to strategies to create savings in the cost of treat-ment and in the prevention of chronic lifestyle disease, which currently repre-sents the highest burden to our health care budget. Chiropractors should play an expanded role in health promotion and chronic disease prevention to make a significant impact in reducing this burden. Isn’t that worth 20-30 minutes a week? REFERENCES: • Margot Shields and Mark S. Tremblay, Screen time among Canadian Adults • https://www.researchgate.net/publica-tion/51416558_Screen_time_among_Ca-nadian_adults_a_profile • Body by Science; A research-based program for strength training, body-building, and complete fitness in 12 minutes a week: Doug McGuff MD and John Little McGaw Hill 2009 • Associations of Resistance with cardio-vascular disease morbidity and mortal-ity; Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, March 2019-vol 51 p 499-50 • Resistance Training for Glycemic Con-trol, Muscular Strength and Lean Body Mass in Old Type 2 Diabetic Patients; Diabetes Therapy 2017, June 8(3); 459-473 • High-Intensity Resistance and Impact Training Improves Bone Mineral Den-sity and Physical Function in Postmen-opausal Women with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: The LIFTMOR Rand-omized Controlled Trial; Journal of Bone and Mineral Research; October 2017 • Chronic Disease Prevention Guideline 2018, Population and Public Health Division, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care • Mental Health Benefits of Strength Training in Adults, Patrick J.O’Connor May 7, 2010; American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine • J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000 Jul;55(7):B336-46. • Effects of high-intensity resistance train-ing on untrained older men. I. Strength, cardiovascular, and metabolic responses www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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