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Body memory (also known as muscle or movement memory) is a key mechanism that determines the effectiveness of our training. By exercising, we "teach" the muscles to duplicate certain movement patterns, thanks to which we are able to achieve better and better sports results. What's more, body memory helps to maintain a slim, shapely figure even if we do not exercise for many months. Find out what the mechanism of muscle memory is and what functions it performs.

Contents:

  1. Muscle memory - mechanism of action
  2. Muscle memory and slimming
  3. Muscle memory - how does it affect sports performance?
  4. Muscle memory - how to use it to exercise more effectively?

Body memory , also known asmuscularormotor , is a natural mechanism that adapts the body to making certain movements unconsciously and without the will. In this way, the body does not waste energy to analyze each activity, but works in an automatic mode, and thus - functions faster and more efficiently.

The phenomenon of muscle memory applies to everyday activities, such as typing without looking, driving a car, operating various devices, and sports activities. It is thanks to the memory of the body that a person who once learned to ride a bike will for the rest of their life never forget how to do this activity, even after many years of break.

What is the mechanism of muscle memory and how to train to use its full potential?

Muscle memory - mechanism of action

Muscle memory from a sports point of view offers two basic benefits:

  • teaches movement patterns that remain with us for the rest of our lives, thanks to which, returning to training, even after a break of several years, we will make faster progress (in other words - it will take us much less time to return to the same or even better form than before the break);
  • increases the number of cell nuclei in muscle cells, thanks to which we build muscle mass faster from training to training.

How does the learning of movement patterns work?Each movement activates muscle receptors called proprioceptors, which send a signal to the central nervous system telling about the current position of the body, tensionindividual muscles and the order in which they work. The brain remembers the entire sequence of these signals and combines it with specific movement. Thanks to this, when performing an exercise for the second, third, fourth and subsequent time in a row, we do it more and more efficiently, faster and more effectively.

In turn, the growth of cell nuclei is technically called hyperplasia and consists in the fact that during exercise, the number of additional nuclei in a muscle cell increases. Once formed, the testicle never degrades again, even after a complete cessation of exercise. Although without training, the muscles disappear, the muscle volume potential remains the same. Therefore, someone who trained a lot in their youth will build muscle mass faster after many years than a complete beginner.

  • What are muscles made of and what influences their growth?
  • Concentric, eccentric and isometric movement - phases of muscle movement and their importance in training

Muscle memory and slimming

Muscle memory is also of great importance for the weight loss process and can be an important factor in preventing the yo-yo effect. How? Each of us has a constant level of muscle and fat cells stored in our genetic code. By exercising and losing weight, we change the proportions between these two types of cells, but at the same time the body constantly tries to restore the original state.

This mechanism is largely responsible for the yo-yo effect and explains why a person who has been training intensively for several months and stuck to a diet, after stopping exercise and returning to normal nutrition becomes flooded with fat - this is how the body " defends itself "against changes.

But there is also some positive news. Through exercise, you can permanently change the ratio between fat and muscle cells. There is only one condition: you must exercise regularly forat least 9 months .

Only after this time, the body receives a signal that the achieved form is the target form and should be pursued regardless of the dose of physical exertion and diet. Application? People who are slimming should not give up sports as soon as they lose the desired number of kilograms, but continue the effort for up to 9 months. What's more - it must be an effort at the same level of intensity as when losing weight. Only such a scheme of conduct guarantees a permanent effect and does not expose you to unexpected weight jumps in the future.

Read also: Whey protein: types, effects, dosage

Muscle memory - how does it affect sports performance?

It is already known that the body memory allows for faster recovery after a long break fromtraining and helps to maintain a constant weight. But this phenomenon also plays a huge role in professional sports. When an athlete fails, it is often said that he has not cleared his mind, has not been able to focus on the game, or has transferred his problems onto the pitch instead of leaving them behind. The crowd of thoughts distracted him, and thus he disturbed the automatism of movements, which is possible thanks to well-developed muscle memory.

Sports psychologists emphasize that non-reflective, automatic movements are much more effective than activities that we focus too much on and analyze. Therefore, if we want to run faster, lift heavier weights or do more sit-ups, let's follow the example of professional athletes and turn off too analytical thinking during training.

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Muscle memory - how to use it to exercise more effectively?

  • Increase your training load every 2 weeks: do more repetitions and reduce rest periods;
  • Add new exercises to your training plan every 3-4 weeks to keep your muscles constantly stimulating;
  • if you want to get in shape for years, train for a minimum of 9 months;
  • does not analyze every movement during exercises, do not think about problems - try to turn off your mind and switch to "automatic" mode.

Try the best muscle mass exercises:

  • Best Bicep Exercises
  • 9 exercises for the chest
  • Shoulder exercises with dumbbells
  • Leg training - home and gym exercises
  • 30 Day Six Pack Exercises
  • Mass training - 3-day plan and tips for beginners

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