Muscle Memory: can someone explain this term?

[M56M]

What is muscle memory? what are the thoughts behind it? I have heard it used so many times, and am just wondering if i truly understand what it means.

Muscle you once had should be easier to get back, as opposed to never having that muscle at all?

I am looking for a more scientific explanation.

Thanks.

M56M

 

[BigAndy69]

I can't give you a scientific explanation but I can tell you from experience that it is very real. After bad shoulder injuries and months I physio, I started training again in September of this year. I've put on more than 12 lbs of muscle so far AS free. We are only talking about 11-12 weeks. I started pressing 30lb dumbells on seated shoulder presses for 8 tough reps and now I bang out 60lbers for 12-14 reps. Not exactly huge weight or what I use to do but it is an impressive jump.

When I sarted benching again, I did 135 on the incline for 4 sloppy reps. 5 weeks later I was pressing 190 for 8 reps on incline. Now I flat bench 210 lbs for 6-7 reps and press 85lb dumbells on incline for 6 reps. This is all in 11 weeks.

I think we also need to consider that if you had that muscle before, then you knew what you were doing in the first place.

 

[Triple J]

I recall an explanation that it had to do with the nerve pathways as well as circulation, those things don't really atrophy with the muscle, and thus quickly allow the muscle to return to its former glory. It could also have to do with visualization. I just read about a study that showed that just thinking about exercising (rather than actual exercise) could make a muscle stronger. Similiarly, if you used to be big it will be easier in your minds eye to return to that.

 

[M56M]

Thanks alot guys.

Any other thoughts, personal experiences, explanations?

M56M

 

[GaryWary]

I lost 25lbs of natural weight. Within 4 weeks of moderate (approx 500mg per week of various goodies) I had put that back on. That is quick. It was a combo of the AS and muscle mem.

 

[M56M]

I lost 25lbs of natural weight. Within 4 weeks of moderate (approx 500mg per week of various goodies) I had put that back on. That is quick. It was a combo of the AS and muscle mem.

How much fat did you gain while losing 25lbs of muscle? Did you lose all the fat in 4 weeks? And when you say the same, muscle definition and hardness?

Thanks.

M56M

 

[Punschkrapfen]

personal experiences

when i started lifting regularly - >10 years ago - i did work out the whole body for some 2 years. Then i continued at a moderate pace and didn't train legs at all. Around 4 months ago, i added regular leg days to my schedule again and i've reached my old maximum in squats and leg extensions in some 10 training sessions or 2 months. The first time, it took me 2 years to reach that level. I could literally watch my legs expand at a weeky pace. I have now reached the same plateau i was at 10 years ago.
So there is something like a muscle memory and it lasts years. And i am taking no AS yet. I wanted to bring myself back to my natural potential first. But i have no scientific explanantion either. I don't even have a clue why it worked that way. I really didn't do any leg exercise with heavy weights in the last 5 years, only lots of running on the treadmill and other cardio stuff.

 

[GaryWary]

How much fat did you gain while losing 25lbs of muscle? Did you lose all the fat in 4 weeks? And when you say the same, muscle definition and hardness?

Thanks.

M56M

I gained no fat (I wasn't eating, neither was I training - I was very depressed). The same muscle hardness and quality (in fact more) was achieved in 4 weeks... and get this.. I was onlyt eating 3000kcals a day (200g protein)... seems to defy the laws of gaining (3000kcals EXTRA = 1lb of bodyweight gain).. But on went the muscle and on stayed the muscle.

 

[M56M]

I gained no fat (I wasn't eating, neither was I training - I was very depressed). The same muscle hardness and quality (in fact more) was achieved in 4 weeks... and get this.. I was onlyt eating 3000kcals a day (200g protein)... seems to defy the laws of gaining (3000kcals EXTRA = 1lb of bodyweight gain).. But on went the muscle and on stayed the muscle.

Was that your first cycle? What did you do post cycle?

M56M

 

[German]

My experience with muscle memory

I used to work out for 10 years like an animal (drug free).
Then for professional reasons I stopped it for 2 long years.
I lost all my muscles ( around 25 lbs) and got a small belly.
Then I had enough and went back to the gym.

In only 8 weeks I regained 15 lbs without steroids, just with
a good diet and a disiplined training. Unfortunately my back
didn't accompany that speed and started to hurt so badly
that I had to see a specialist.

He told me that muscles have a memory, but tendons and other
tissue not. I was growing to fast. But I didn't ask him, what
it scientifically means: muscle memory.

I only know that it is true.

German

 

[genarr3]

I can't give a scientific explanation either, but I can tell you it's for real. I've been training for 17 years and the few times I had to take off I've regained the muscle lost in usually about the same amount of time I took off, although I've never taken off more than a month or 2. It's always easier the second time around.

 

[hhajdo]

An experienced lifter is able to fatigue a muscle(to recrout more muscle fibers in performing the lift) with less weight then a beginner is because he spent a lot of time learning how to perform an exercise and his nervous system has adapted on that type of stress.
It's the same as when you learn how to ride a bike or how to swim - you can never forget it.
Thus, when you start training again you will gain faster then you would normally if you were a beginner because you would know how to perform the exercises corectly and you would be able to use your muscles more efficiently...

 

[genarr3]

hhajdo
I agree with you I'm sure that's a big part of it, but I still think there is a great deal of "memory" involved.

 

[M56M]

I recall an explanation that it had to do with the nerve pathways as well as circulation, those things don't really atrophy with the muscle, and thus quickly allow the muscle to return to its former glory.

What do you guys think about this explanation i believe it makes alot of sense.

M56M