“Muscle memory” has been widely accepted and often used to explain how skills and tasks become ingrained after repetition. I believe the term “muscle memory” is misleading. If you want to use that phrase, I won’t quibble, but I think it best to understand what’s truly going on. Muscles don’t have memory. Only your brain has memory. The phenomenon is more accurately described by “skill retention.” This blog’ll shed light on the mechanisms behind retaining learned skills.
The Myth of “Muscle Memory”
“Muscle memory” implies that muscles can independently remember and execute complex movements without conscious effort. The important phrase in that last sentence is “conscious effort.” While it’s true that repetitive practice can lead to improved performance and skill retention, the idea that muscles themselves store and recall information is not accurate. Your brain is running the show. Specifically, your subconscious is running the show.
The Science of Skill Retention
The phenomenon commonly referred to as “muscle memory” is better described as “skill retention.” Skills are learned and stored in the brain through neural pathways, which are strengthened with repeated practice. This process involves multiple brain areas working together, including the motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. (I’m not a doctor; I just read a lot.)
When you practice a skill, such as a golf swing or playing a musical instrument, driving a car, etc., your brain forms connections between neurons that facilitate the coordination of movements. These connections, known as synapses, become more efficient with repetition and practice. As a result, the brain becomes better at coordinating the required movements, leading to improved performance.
The Role of Repetition
Repetition is a crucial factor in developing and retaining skills. Each time you perform a task, your brain strengthens the neural pathways associated with that task. It should be obvious that you had better practice and repeat the proper movements. Whatever you do over and over becomes more ingrained and harder to correct later on. The term “muscle memory” fails to acknowledge the role of the brain in this process. Instead, it suggests the muscles are responsible for storing and recalling information.
Transferability of Skills
One of the key insights from research into skill retention is the transferability of skills across different contexts. For example, I love to teach golf to hockey players. The skills needed to hit a slap-shot (if you’re not a hockey fan, look it up) are similar to swinging a golf club. Of course, those skills are not identical but similar. Hockey players adapt to golf very quickly. The same is true for baseball/softball players. It is a myth that your baseball swing will ruin your golf swing or vice versa. Both golf and baseball are “stick and ball” games. The skills required for both are highly transferable. The neural pathways you develop can be adapted and applied to similar tasks or new skills. That super-computer riding inside your skull is one amazing piece of work!
Conclusion
You may have guessed by now I don’t like the term “muscle memory.” Use it if you like, but it’s important to understand what’s really going on. Understanding that the brain is the true orchestrator of this process is essential. The brain’s ability to adapt, create new connections, and transfer skills allows us to become proficient in various activities. How powerful is the brain and the concept of skill retention? There is considerable research that indicates mental rehearsal of a desired skill is nearly as effective as actually performing the skill. Sitting quietly and mentally rehearsing your perfect golf swing will form the required neural pathways nearly as effectively as pounding balls on the range. Perhaps that topic deserves its own blog.