Is “Muscle Memory” Real?

I’ve always heard the idea that if you train a muscle once- that muscle never forgets it. That when you build that neural pathway, it doesn’t go away, so years later, you are still able to reap the benefits of your prior training. Is that really true? What does the science say?

After doing a non-exhaustive look at the literature, I found some studies that suggested that this may be true. In an article in The Journal of Physiology titled, “Muscle memory: virtues of your youth?” they explore this topic and say,

“The data suggested that previous strength might aid new training even long after the muscle mass was lost.”

This is important because as we get older, it becomes much more difficult to increase muscle size, which is important for healthy ageing. So if you’ve strength-trained in your youth it will probably be easier for you to develop these muscles at a later age.

Schematic illustration of a muscle memory demonstrating the encoding, storage and retrieval of “information” related to strength exercise. Image from The Journal of Physiology.

Although this curiosity hasn’t been fully quenched, it does lead me to believe that muscle memory is likely to be true. Regardless, I think the possibility of developing this muscle memory is one other reason to exercise that has nothing to do with weight-loss. 👍

Sources:

Gundersen K, Bruusgaard JC, Egner IM, Eftestøl E, Bengtsen M. Muscle memory: virtues of your youth? Journal of Physiology. 596(18):4289-4290. doi:10.1113/JP276354