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[WEBSITE EDITOR'S NOTE: This article, which was the second O Genki Desu Ka? ran the paper newsletter Volume 1, Number 3 dated July 1989 with original editor being John R. Ellis. This was close to the 1989 Sunshine State Games, which is stated in the article below this does not change the other facts found in the article. Some people have asked for the schooling background required for Chiropractors. The following facts come from the National Health Federation bulletin and other publications' statistics. Have you ever wondered just how much education your chiropractor has? The facts may very well surprise you. Today, at least size years of highly specialized college training are required to graduate and earn licensure, and chiropractic has gained recognition as a comprehensive, scientifically sound force among the healing arts. Only chiropractic concerns itself with the interrelationship of structure and body functions, and only chiropractic effectively utilizes natural, drugless methods of treatment primarily spinal adjustments. The Doctor of Chiropractic readily acknowledges that the early, formative years of chiropractic education - like those of medicine - left much to be desired. But this is true of every science and profession. Look (below) at these typical basic educational requirements for medical school graduates as compared to those for Doctors of Chiropractic. The chiropractor must meet stringent educational requirements, including approximately 600 hours of externship, which qualify him for licensure in all states and Canadian provinces. In many states, he must pass a basic science examination - the same examination that is given to medical students. He must also pass a rigid chiropractic board examination. And his state probably requires continuing educational seminars for annual license renewal. If you have friends who are uninformed or misinformed about chiropractic education, why not share this knowledge with them. They, too, may benefit from today's scientific chiropractic care. Medical ------- Subject ------- Chiropractic Class Hrs. ---------------------- Class Hrs. (Min.) -------------------------- (Min.) 508 ----------- Anatomy ------- 520 326 ----------- Physiology ---- 420 401 ----------- Pathology ----- 205 325 ----------- Chemistry ----- 300 114 ----------- Bacteriology -- 130 324 ----------- Diagnosis ----- 420 112 ----------- Neurology ----- 320 148 ----------- X-Ray --------- 217 144 ----------- Psychiatry ---- 65 198 - Obstetrics & Gynecology - 65 156 ------------ Orthopedics -- 225 2,756 ---------- Total Hours -- 2,887 Other required subjects for the Doctor of Chiropractic: adjusting, manipulation, kinesiology, and other similar basic subjects related to his specialty. Other required subjects for the Doctor of Medicine: pharmacology, immunology, general surgery, and other similar basic subjects related to his specialty. GRAND TOTAL CLASS HOURS 4,248 - Including Other Basic Subjects -- 4,485.] [EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Andre' Merrill offers a unique perspective on health issues as they relate to Judo training. Not only is he a respected Chiropractic Physician, but an excellent Judoka, having trained under some of the finest Sensei in the Western Hemisphere, including Dr. Sachi Ashida. This is the first in a running series of articles which Dr. Merrill has agreed to wrote for the Ki no Fuda. We are honored to have him as a regular contributor! The name of this column comes from a very common Japanese expression, frequently used when greeting people. Genki translates as spirits or well-being. When used as a greeting in the question "O genki desu ka?", it means "Are you well and in good spirits?" This is a most appropriate name for Dr. Merrill's column.] TRAINING BEGINS WITH NUTRITION It’s getting close to the Sunshine State Games and I thought it would be a good idea to talk about NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS for competition. If you’re an instructor, this article would be a good one to cut out and give to all your club members. The most important nutritional element for an athlete is WATER. The vast majority of athletes do not consume enough water. All human metabolic, physiologic and biochemical processes are conducted in a watery environment. By not taking in enough water, you can dramatically retard many vital energy producing functions. We can all use a little more energy, especially during a tournament. Fatigue sets in more quickly if an athlete does not consume adequate amounts of water, and Florida is not the coolest of states! Also, contrary to popular advertising, nothing gets into your system more quickly and no drink is better for you than water. Pre-competition Meals Never eat within two and a half hours prior to a tournament. Never eat a large meal on tournament day. On tournament day, 60-80% of an athlete’s food intake should be in the form of complex carbohydrates (whole grains, cereals, fruits, breads, pastas, and vegetables). Avoid fats and oils entirely on tournament days, they leave the stomach very slowly and interfere with the body’s ability to use vital nutrients needed for endurance and energy production. Drink at least seven 8-oz. glasses of water on competition day prior to the start of the competition. This will markedly delay the onset of fatigue. Also, drink at least four cups during the course of the day. Meal Suggestions Breakfast – One of two cups of whole grain cereal (no sugar) with one cup skimmed or low-fat milk and one helping of fruit. Lunch – Spaghetti marinara or other pasta dish with a meatless sauce and one helping of fruit. Always eat a well balanced, low-fat meal following competition. Contrary to popular belief, a pre-tournament snack high in sugar does not give you energy …it depletes energy and brings on fatigue up to 25% more quickly. Also avoid soda pop and all carbonated beverages – the carbonation is actually CO2 and your body is constantly trying to get rid of CO2. Carbonated beverages inhibit gas exchange at the cellular level (most critical). General Nutritional Suggestions Always eat a good breakfast – The energy needed for long days of practice and competition are supplied by breakfast. Avoiding breakfast leads to hypoglycemia and other pathological conditions which are detrimental to your health and performance. Cereals – eat up to one cup per day with one cup low-fat skimmed milk and one helping of fruit for each hour of continuous exercise. Dried fruit – up to two ounces per day. Fruit juices – up to eight ounces per day. Meat – up to four ounces per day. Legumes (peas, beans, etc.) – up to two ounces per day. Potatoes – up to four medium potatoes per day. Brown Rice – up to three cups per day (cooked). Pasta – up to four cups (cooked) per day. Vegetables –eat as many as desired if raw or steamed. Whole Grain Breads – up to six slices per day. The diet of an athlete should contain daily – 60-80% Complex Carbohydrates. 10-15% Protein, 5-10% Fats and Oils. The preceding list is not all-inclusive but only is meant to be a general guideline. Lastly-please, NO ALCOHOL (especially within 48 hours of a tournament). It decreases blood flow to the muscles and brings on fatigue 50% more quickly. It increases blood flow to the skin, making body cooling more difficult. It depresses the body’s immune system. It depresses the central nervous system and reduces both reflex and judgment times. It reduces the heart’s working capacity. It creates edema (swelling) in the joints and reduces oxygen availability. It loads the liver and blood with triglycerides and fats and there are literally scores of additional detrimental effects of alcohol usage. No Judo player can be at his/her best for tournaments if he/she doesn’t practice good nutrition between training sessions. Train in good health, Andre J. Merrill D.C.