Muscle Memory

[nrowles]

What are your thoughts/experiences with muscle memory? I injured my shoulder 7 months ago right after I started lifting, took a month off, and a couple weeks ago the injury is back. Pretty sure it's tendonitis. It's a hard pill to swallow but I've decided to take 4-6 weeks off to let it hopefully heal. I can't even do squats because of how you put your arms up to the bar.

Anyways, I've put 1.5 inches on my arms, 5 inches on both my chest and shoulder measurements and increased everywhere else as well (no pump). I'm concerned if I take 4-6 weeks off that all my hard work over the last 6 months will have been a waste. So what do you guys think of this muscle memory concept?

[Syndicate187]

"muscle memory" is a dumbed down term, your muscles don't have a conscience.
what your muscles do have are nerves and blood vessels developed prior to this unfortunate time off. this is what makes it easier for your body to regrow tissue that was wasted due to lack of use because the "ground work" for new satelite cells to grow is already present in that tissue.
the saying "use it or lose it" also applies, the tissues being rested have begun to lose density, this may always cause them to lose volume
last but not least a lot of this is in your head

You'll be fine, don't mind f*** yourself

[BigMiniBaby]

What are your thoughts/experiences with muscle memory? I injured my shoulder 7 months ago right after I started lifting, took a month off, and a couple weeks ago the injury is back. Pretty sure it's tendonitis. It's a hard pill to swallow but I've decided to take 4-6 weeks off to let it hopefully heal. I can't even do squats because of how you put your arms up to the bar.

Anyways, I've put 1.5 inches on my arms, 5 inches on both my chest and shoulder measurements and increased everywhere else as well (no pump). I'm concerned if I take 4-6 weeks off that all my hard work over the last 6 months will have been a waste. So what do you guys think of this muscle memory concept?

You're very right about it being a tough pill. As far as muscle memory goes, I'd say you'll be alright. You may lose a little muscle, but that all depends on how you change your diet. If you're cutting out weight training(which you should, IMO) for a period of time, continue with some cardio. I don't know your body, so I can't go into detail about what and how much you should do. If it were me, I would cut my carbs back slightly, cut the fat back, and increase my lean protein intake. RICE(Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) it and after about 14 days of rest, start doing VERY light resistance(ie bands, cables, etc) to work the tendons/ligaments and muscle heads.

It really, REALLY sucks, but look at it this way: 4-6 weeks off now, or 6-8 months(or more) off due to surgery...?

[BigMiniBaby]

"muscle memory" is a dumbed down term, your muscles don't have a conscience.
what your muscles do have are nerves and blood vessels developed prior to this unfortunate time off. this is what makes it easier for your body to regrow tissue that was wasted due to lack of use because the "ground work" for new satelite cells to grow is already present in that tissue.
the saying "use it or lose it" also applies, the tissues being rested have begun to lose density, this may always cause them to lose volume
last but not least a lot of this is in your head

You'll be fine, don't mind f*** yourself

I agree that "muscle memory" is a silly term, but it's almost always used as a Layman term(sp?) so therefore I continue to use it when others use it because it creates a baseline understanding of what we're talking about. Excellent post and great detail.

I do not agree, however, with your last statement. You're correct that a good amount may be in his head, but telling him he'll be fine may lead him to further injury. We don't want to take this broski to Snap City, do we?

OP, I recommend a visit to your local chiropractor. Without insurance a simple adjustment is ~$35.00 USD where I'm from.

[nrowles]

I agree that "muscle memory" is a silly term, but it's almost always used as a Layman term(sp?) so therefore I continue to use it when others use it because it creates a baseline understanding of what we're talking about. Excellent post and great detail.

I do not agree, however, with your last statement. You're correct that a good amount may be in his head, but telling him he'll be fine may lead him to further injury. We don't want to take this broski to Snap City, do we?

OP, I recommend a visit to your local chiropractor. Without insurance a simple adjustment is ~$35.00 USD where I'm from.

I'm not real sure what he meant about it being in my head. My injury or the muscle loss. Either way, the injury is obviously there. I worked thru it for 3 weeks and it got worse every training session. And a bit of muscle loss is bound to happen with 4-6 weeks off, I would think.

I have been thinking about going to the chiro. I read somewhere that an ART (active release technique) may help and has worked for some.

[wadboram]

Let me share my experience with you all, in my early twenties, I used to go the gym and I practiced bodybuilding for 3 years. My weight was around 195lb with a very good physique. Due to travel reasons and work, I stopped going to the gym for more than 11 years. Then I started again from about 7 months. I restored my body shape and even got beyond it with more weights being lifted in around 4 months and my weight now is around 204lbs. According to what I have read (and I'm a pharmacist) that muscles have nuclei that never forgets the previous weights being lifted and I think once you go back again with proper nutrition and routine ,everything returns to normal and even better.

[Tommy W.]

I was in a terrible accident once while I was in shape and I wasted away to nothing. Got back on the program and put all the muscle back on in a short time period.

[Xuaxace]

[nrowles]

Nice Visual! Thanks.

[Tommy W.]

^^^^^good

[gomez26]

ppl love to argue semantics.
muscle memory is a perfectly legit term to describe what is happening in such cases, doesnt matter that muscles dont have brains inside them.
its like saying well you dont actually get a burn because there is no fire inside the muscle.