As one ages, especially after the age of 40, strength is lost. So for example, a man 55 years young, even if he was an Olympic gold medal winner in weightlifting at 24, will typically lose 30-33% of the strength levels he had three decades before.
A great resource on this matter is Brooks Kubik’s book.
Of course, it kicks the ego in the balls…what if you could reverse some of that loss? Yes it is possible to a degree through 2 mechanisms:
- Soft tissue work.
- Herbs that help regenerate the brain.
Lets look first today at soft tissue. I will get into the herbs next week.
For example, in the upper body, releasing the anterior neck flexors can immediately increase maximal strength 3-8%. Pretty good, considering the person has regressed in age 3 to 8 years. No one in his right mind would scoff at those results.
Which techniques work best?
Actually I have seen a lot of techniques work equally as well: Rolfing, Active Release Technique, Kinetic Chain Enhancement,
Anatomy Trains, dry needling, etc… to name a few. However, the practitioner ‘s skill matters more than the technique used. The same goes for martial arts….
Anatomy Trains, dry needling, etc… to name a few. However, the practitioner ‘s skill matters more than the technique used. The same goes for martial arts….
For example, I have seen Dr. Gerry Ramogida D.C, who worked with the Seattle Seahawks, and the British Olympic Track Team, increase colleagues strength levels after an hour of treatment up to 8%. Why? He uses a many different techniques that work synergistically. It is a case of 1 + 1+ 1 = 8.
The effect being greater that the sum of all parts.
Some other factors may make the gains even better. For example, if you have a forward head carriage because you live on your computer and smart phones, the percentage of improvement may be greater, but the absolute gains may be small since a bad chronic posture make you weak. To make it more simple, Arnold Schwarzenegger has great posture, so he may get 5% back of a present 350 lbs bench press: 17.5 pounds. While a forty year old airlines computer terminal employee, with the neck of a vulture, may get 8% more on his 150 : 12 pounds.
Where I have seen the greatest improvements in percentage is in hand strength. I personally saw Dr. Mike Leahy D.C. increase the hand strength of Triple Gold Club (winner of Olympic Gold, World Championship gold, and Stanley Cup winner) member, Joe Sakic by 25% in just two treatments. In fact, by that time his hand strength level was the same as the heavyweight US weightlifter who represented his country at the Olympics. Of course, the quality of the treatment was very high, Dr. Leahy invented Active Release Technique.
Hockey fans now know why Joe had such a killer wrist shot.
In conclusion, if you want to back to a more youthful levels, hire a qualified soft tissue practitioner. Going back in time 5 to 8 years does not make you a bad person.
Enjoy the path,
By Charles R. Poliquin
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