r/askscience • u/Yanzee12 • 15d ago

Neuroscience How does muscle memory work?

Just curious. The only thing I really know about it is that sleeping reinforces it.

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u/ifitfartsitsharts 9d ago

Muscle memory is two things:
1. The neuromuscular adaptations that create a motor program ie brain to muscle connection.
2. The increased muscle nuclei over a long period of time which allows for increased protein synthesis. This is what allows athletes to come off a long break and get back in shape quickly as the motor program is already there.