"muscle memory" question

[MuGGsy]

Alright, I've looked around but can't find what I'm looking for. My question is what exact is muscle memory, scientifically. Why is it that once you have elevated your test levels via steroids and you go back to normal and "lose gains" you cannot then later get back to a stage your body was at since muscle memory apparently allows you regain past musclarity that was achieved. Maybe this is incredibly simple, but I know that I'm not ronnie coleman and I"m nowhere near a point where I need steroids to stay the same size so why do we lose those gains supposedly? Sorry if this is vauge but I was just wondering what the story is.

-NOTE- this is not regarding PCT in anyway shape or form I understand fully about the initial loss of size and strength especially if PCT is not proper, this post might be vauge but I'm not that dumb :hmmm:

[YellowJacket]

In VERY short, muscle memory is simply neurological adaptation. I hear all this "fascia stretching", etc. but honestly, its a neurological response.

[Pumpdogg]

Mug, I think having juiced before makes it easier to obtain gains otherwise... There have been long off periods for me before and I could get allot of my body parts right up to where I was on juice, but not my whole body... something would be off abs, back something... I also think genetics play a large role in this... Bouncer was off for over 6 months I think and kept most of his size, but lost some strength if my memory serves me correct... That would not happen to me under any circumstance...feel me??

I think allot of guys/gals can get back to that "size" but not overall condition... muscularity/hardness/fullness etc.... You know what the TV commercials say"Juice does the body good"

PD

[coffee-guy]

In VERY short, muscle memory is simply neurological adaptation. I hear all this "fascia stretching", etc. but honestly, its a neurological response.

The only things that I can find in regards to "muscle memory" are in relationship to basic motor skills, vocalization, key strokes, video games and basic sports movements to ensure the athlete is in touch with his body during competition instead of worrying about technique (basically second insticts after tons of practice). I also found some information on Aesthetic Cognition, however I have not read the entire thing - it seems to be leading me onto another path anyways.

Do you have any research papers that I can read to elaborate on your definition of "neurological adaptation" in relationship to weight training?

:hmmm:

[Gort]

I'm not sure there are any directly applicable studies on this.

We do know that repeated muscle activation patterns over time become learned by lesser ganglia and become something on the order of reflex (ie., throwing a ball, riding a bike). This reinforcement of muscle activation nerual networks is a huge part of strength and probably offloads attention and effort of the CNS.

If you have been sick or starving and you try to rebuild atrophied muscles (and these activation networks are there) - you just have to force nitrogen back into the muscles. This happens quite quickly.

If the nervous system is damaged you will have no strength and coordination to even try. The nerves must reconnect and new pathways built before there will be enough strength to rebuild the muscles.

[Scrumhalf]

Here is an article that discussed a study on muscle memory:

http://www.thinkmuscle.com/articles/...cle-memory.htm

[muscle_n_blood]

My muscle memory sucks. Is it the soleus or gastrocnemius that you work with seated calf raises?