Muscle Memory Revealed!

[hammersavage]

Is muscle memory the proper term or is it a misnomer? And can you explain it.

[Dr Steve]

Is muscle memory the proper term or is it a misnomer? And can you explain it.



Muscle memory is really the brain's adaptation to repeated stimuli/activity. This is why "practice makes perfect" when it comes to athletics. Though muscle remodeling is important, the term Muscle Memory is really a misnomer for "Brain-Muscle Memory" or "Motor Memory".

As you pull back that string on your bow for the 1000th time, the pathway that serves that activity is strengthened just a little more. Think about how awful it was to learn how to ride a bike and how effortless it is today...not much to do with muscles at all, but everything to do with how the brain controls them.

your pal,



steve

[hammersavage]

thank you Steven

[SP1!]

So basically anything you did in the past will yield quicker results, is that what youre saying?

That explains why I can build my chest up quickly but have a harder time losing belly flab, what about muscles that have just always been big? I have had huge thigh and calf muscles since I was young, solid not flab, its weird since I rarely work them out.

[KingGeno]

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[dino_electropolis]

thank you Steven

Thats DR. Steven to you, buddy.

Show the man some respect.

[Chigworthy]

So basically anything you did in the past will yield quicker results, is that what youre saying?

That explains why I can build my chest up quickly but have a harder time losing belly flab, what about muscles that have just always been big? I have had huge thigh and calf muscles since I was young, solid not flab, its weird since I rarely work them out.

It's not about development of muscles, it's regarding nervous control of muscles, i.e. being able to find the keyhole to your vehicle in the dark after owning it for a while. The term is used a lot in law enforcement to describe the increased speed and accuracy in drawing, firing, and reloading a sidearm.

[Dr Steve]

It's not about development of muscles, it's regarding nervous control of muscles, i.e. being able to find the keyhole to your vehicle in the dark after owning it for a while. The term is used a lot in law enforcement to describe the increased speed and accuracy in drawing, firing, and reloading a sidearm.

you're absolutely right, but he has a point, as well. I just think it's a different point.

when I was in medical school I worked out like crazy and built up some decent chest and arm muscles. those areas are much easier to get into shape 20 years later than the other areas that I didn't concentrate on as much back then. not sure what to call that phenomenon, but it is a kind of "muscle memory".