Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: What IS muscle memory?

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837

    What IS muscle memory?

    Hi all -
    I've tried to search through the threads, to google it, and to look on YouTube - but no luck.

    There's plenty of advice about short term applications like riding a bike, or taking a week off of training - but what I'm trying to understand is about after a layoff.
    Why is it easier to gain strength (or size, for that matter) and it's quicker than when you did it the first time?
    Thanks for thinking about it!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Posts
    600
    It is easier and quicker. After loosing almost 30lb, I've gained back most of it in about a month.
    Last edited by DexterMorgan; 08-23-2013 at 04:10 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    Thanks, Dexter.
    And after being less than diligent for a year, I'm back up to flat press with the 40's.
    It just doesn't make any sense

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    anybody else?

  5. #5
    I am by no means an expert on the matter, but could it potentially have something to do with the fact that you have already developed the neural pathways, therefore when you start training again quicker adaptations are made allowing you to get back to the point you were before the layoff. At which point you are back where you were before the layoff and would no doubt need to find a way to shock your body again to continue improvement.
    OZ

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    Thank you Oz - I hadn't thought about the neural pathways. That might be a big part of it.
    Thanks for helping me.

    Quote Originally Posted by OzBoi View Post
    I am by no means an expert on the matter, but could it potentially have something to do with the fact that you have already developed the neural pathways, therefore when you start training again quicker adaptations are made allowing you to get back to the point you were before the layoff. At which point you are back where you were before the layoff and would no doubt need to find a way to shock your body again to continue improvement.
    OZ

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Gods own country
    Posts
    3,007
    In my experience and afterthought, i summarise muscle memory to be this: If you have trained and developed some muscle, you will have damaged and repaired the muscle hence it growing, now if you stop training the muscle will not be getting worked so it will decrease in size. Now if you start training again after a long period lets say a year, it will be easy to get those muscles to the size they were before with good diet and training faster than 'normal' because the damage and repair stage has already taken place.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    That's a good thought too, MR FQ. So, you've damaged/repaired many times over the years - and you've grown your muscle cells greater in size, and in number. Do you think they just get smaller? I can't imagine you :losing: them.
    Thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by MR-FQ320 View Post
    In my experience and afterthought, i summarise muscle memory to be this: If you have trained and developed some muscle, you will have damaged and repaired the muscle hence it growing, now if you stop training the muscle will not be getting worked so it will decrease in size. Now if you start training again after a long period lets say a year, it will be easy to get those muscles to the size they were before with good diet and training faster than 'normal' because the damage and repair stage has already taken place.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Vancouver bc
    Posts
    273
    I think it's real for sure. I went from 175-220 in like 4 months after a really long lay off..natty too

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    Quote Originally Posted by Buddyguy View Post
    I think it's real for sure. I went from 175-220 in like 4 months after a really long lay off..natty too
    Nice job Buddy. I bet it felt good to get the size back. That's what I'm trying to do too. Just not that much lol.
    Thanks

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    The Matrix
    Posts
    4,327

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    ShredVille
    Posts
    12,572
    I am an expert,

    Muscle memory is a function of the learned motor patterns in the brain and spinal cord. Over time with repetition, neural pathways coordinate with each other to produce smooth, controlled, coordinate motor patters. Just like you never really have to relearn to ride a bike, exercises that have been learned stay imprinted in the neural networks of the central nervous system ( brain, spinal cord)
    “If you can't explain it to a second grader, you probably don't understand it yourself.” Albert Einstein

    "Juice slow, train smart, it's a long journey."
    BG

    "In a world full of pussies, being a redneck is not a bad thing."
    OB

    Body building is a way of life..........but can not get in the way of your life.
    BG

    No Source Check Please, I don't know of any.


    Depressed? Healthy Way Out!

    Tips For Young Lifters


    MuscleScience Training Log

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Guess
    Posts
    837
    Thanks - I do need an expert haha.
    The bike-riding analogy absolutely makes sense. But probably most of us have come back after a layoff and lost size or strength, but gained it back really fast.
    I didn't even quit altogether - just cut way back, and I couldn't squat for s**t!
    Now, everything is coming back - in just a few months. Do you think those neural pathways are re-learning, which maybe is faster than learning something new?
    Thanks!

    Muscle memory is a function of the learned motor patterns in the brain and spinal cord. Over time with repetition, neural pathways coordinate with each other to produce smooth, controlled, coordinate motor patters. Just like you never really have to relearn to ride a bike, exercises that have been learned stay imprinted in the neural networks of the central nervous system ( brain, spinal cord)[/QUOTE]

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    ShredVille
    Posts
    12,572
    I'm sure there is some degradation of the fine motor control which probably needs some period of time for "re-learning," for the most part after some repetitions, the body should be able to adapt and pick up much faster than the first time.


    Quote Originally Posted by Giggle View Post
    Thanks - I do need an expert haha.
    The bike-riding analogy absolutely makes sense. But probably most of us have come back after a layoff and lost size or strength, but gained it back really fast.
    I didn't even quit altogether - just cut way back, and I couldn't squat for s**t!
    Now, everything is coming back - in just a few months. Do you think those neural pathways are re-learning, which maybe is faster than learning something new?
    Thanks!

    Muscle memory is a function of the learned motor patterns in the brain and spinal cord. Over time with repetition, neural pathways coordinate with each other to produce smooth, controlled, coordinate motor patters. Just like you never really have to relearn to ride a bike, exercises that have been learned stay imprinted in the neural networks of the central nervous system ( brain, spinal cord)
    [/QUOTE]
    “If you can't explain it to a second grader, you probably don't understand it yourself.” Albert Einstein

    "Juice slow, train smart, it's a long journey."
    BG

    "In a world full of pussies, being a redneck is not a bad thing."
    OB

    Body building is a way of life..........but can not get in the way of your life.
    BG

    No Source Check Please, I don't know of any.


    Depressed? Healthy Way Out!

    Tips For Young Lifters


    MuscleScience Training Log

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    95
    I have awesome muscle memory, one time after a layoff I went from having trouble with a few reps of 225 to 315 benching for the same in 5-6 weeks and reping 225 20+ times. Now however after a much longer layoff it gets me into trouble, ligaments and tendons do not strengthen as fast as the muscle tissue and I have to be careful not to snap something.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •