Muscle memory

New research published in Frontiers in Physiology shows that extra nuclei (the cell control center that build and maintain muscle fibres)  gained during exercise remain even when muscle shrinks due to disuse, ageing or illness.  Previously the “use it or lose it” belief that when an individual stops using their muscles they lose both muscle and nuclei has now been overturned.

According to the research from the University of Massachusetts the nuclei gained during training remain even after muscle has atrophied (wasted away) and been lost.  The residual nuclei actually facilitate more and faster growth when the muscles are retrained.  The research using the latest modern lab techniques also shows why athletes who cheat by taking steroids and remain undetected have an unfair advantage for many years to come even after they stop taking steroids.