The Incredible Recovery Secret About Muscles
There are various reasons why bodybuilders and weightlifters may need to take breaks from their training routines. However, a new study from Finland indicates that even extended interruptions in workouts will not significantly hinder muscle growth.
Lead author Eeli Halonen, a doctoral student at the University of Jyväskylä, stated, “While a break may slow progress somewhat, it’s reassuring to know that individuals can quickly return to their pre-break performance levels.” The findings were recently published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
In this research, 42 adults participated in one of two 20-week weight training programs. One group completed the entire 20 weeks without any interruptions, engaging in various exercises such as leg presses and bicep curls. The second group trained for 10 weeks, took a 10-week break, and then resumed their workouts for another 10 weeks.
The results indicated that both groups showed similar improvements in maximum strength and muscle size. Those who took a break were able to quickly regain their muscle gains upon returning to training, with many reaching their previous performance levels within just five weeks. This swift recovery is likely attributed to the concept known as “muscle memory.”
Halonen also noted that the group that trained continuously for 20 weeks experienced a slowdown in progress after the first ten weeks, ultimately resulting in no significant differences in muscle growth or strength between the two groups.
While the exact mechanisms behind muscle memory remain unclear, senior authors Juha Hulmi and Juha Ahtiainen expressed interest in exploring the cellular and molecular changes that occur in muscles, which might shed light on this phenomenon in future research.
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