muscle memory

[RonDompke]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS MUSCLE MEMORY

I keep reading about muscle memory not only at BTM and Bowlers Journal but also many other publications relating to sports and I believe that this phrase is incorrect.

From what I have read muscle memory is credited to Ben Hogan when giving instructions. In my opinion muscles don’t and can’t remember anything. They react accordingly to the transmission of electrical impulses given to them by the brain. The brain remembers what the reflex of the muscles where at any given time and when we want to repeat a good feeling or sensation the brain sends impulses to the muscle systems and tells them what to do in order to repeat that good feeling or feel of (near) perfect execution, or of repeating that which we need or want in order to make a good shot.

Just my opinion-don’t like to mislead or send people in the wrong direction, proper phraseology in our industry does need continuous editing so that all students are talking the same language.

[editor]

When I read the phrase "muscle memory" I think of it as an interaction of the brain with the muscles. The elements of our body work in unison. Everything is connected. I see the term as a clever way of getting the point across that our body remembers and repeats an action.

[Magic Carpet]

Hi Ronald,
I am not sure yet what you are saying. Are you saying that there is no such thing as muscle memory, or that there is, but the actual memory takes place in the brain and not the muscles, or are we just calling it by the wrong name?

You said, “In my opinion muscles don’t and can’t remember anythingâ€

[KAJMK]

Hi folks, I wish I had time but I do not.
From Memory -
First I wanted to metnion that Tom Kouros lists "Muscle Memory" in the Learning Tree in the forward his book "Par Bowling ..."
Aside from the fact that Tom is very smart and astute in his own right, he knows many learned people in many walks of life, many of which he has used as sources.
Muscle Memory is listed under Mental it's in the first tier.
I would gather that no one really takes the term as being scientific.
Since you cannot post links here, I can't render a list spanning articles that span various sports, medical articles, musical training, etc.
I've see a similar term which is probably closer to semantically correct, "Motor Learning".
Dick Ritger developed "skill drills".
Point being that it is the interaction of the cognitive & motor areas of the brain so to speak. The Body is sort of like a computer anyway, the Brain has specialized areas and works with the rest of the body.
Again, this is a brief shoot form the lip response.
Google if you will the term Muscle Memory.
Consider the fact that quaint terms, poetic licsense and colloquial expressions are verbal constructs with the goal of painting a picture or thought pattern.
If you climb the same flight of stairs every day, you get to the point where you can do it quickly and perhaps with eyes closed. Now you are not thinking per se, but the part of your brain that guides the body and wants to keep you on your feet and off your butt has learned through repitition and works with your body to promote survival.
Now if someone were to make one of the steps a little higher or lower, I bet you'd stumble. Whats at work there? Your body/brain has learned a pattern of physical movement. When a step height changes, the pattern has changed, now after catching your balance, you have to in essence practice,learn again or take the elevator.
Cheers y'all

[rjheld]

I do realize that is is an older topic, but the ring finger reference and "lifting" the ball as a whole has me confused with what I have been reading and following lately in BTM.
Background: Mid 50's, 2+x's a week bowler, attempting to become a "transitional" bowler, 197 and 205 averages. Changing style/release of ball to be able to come through cleaner, which will enable me to add speed to get through heads more effectively; but also would like to have the roll to have some influence when it clears the heads.
So Far: I have switched to 5-Step, started walking heel-toe inline, adjusted my shoulder angle and spine angle, still having issues with sliding toward my mark after walking straight line (toe still wants to point out, which surely defeats the purpose of maintaining the angled shoulder), adjusted hand/ball position so that ball lays cradled between index and 2nd finger with thumb at 2 o'clock, have improved swing angle, still trying to find out what to do with my left arm (not really conscious of it 1/2 the time and only realize where it winds up... out to left). Not yet automatic with alot of this. It's a transition in progress.

Question: I am all about learning by the "feel"... which is also all about Muscle Memory. Hand position, back swing, grip, etc.. and going through the "feel checklist" as I roll, not counting by numbers and such. From that hand position, what would the release "feel" like. Several articles recently talked about avoiding "lifting"... and I am one of those trying to break that habit, which is tough coming from more of an inside out angle with my release. But when I lay off the "lift", the ball is flat. What should the ball feel like coming off the hand? Where's the weight centered? Cradled/Low Point of Swing? Since it's not a lifting game anymore, just how much finger pressure can I expect? Where DOES the release pressure/feedback center?

Thanks for any feedback!

Bob

[KAJMK]

Bob, this is a quick reply as I have to get to work on some honey-doos -
Perhaps you'll get some feedback from those more qualified.
No thread is to late to rekindle

In Rob's latest article (from recollection) he emphasizes 4 major aspects of the "transitional" style. Rob emphasized the divide and conquer method, i.e. 1 thing at a time
Couple that with Ron Clifton's "Go for a walk philosophy" --- slooooooooooooooooow motion to teach and ensconce new movements and patterns, e.g. the scene from "Roadhouse" where Patrick Swayze is practicing martial arts moves slooooowly.
And yes, working with an enlightned observer can be a big help, because for most of us, there is a gap between perception and reality at times

Articlles posted over the years in BTM have covered a lot of the aspects.
Look for articles by Bill Hall, perhaps his DVD might be appropos?
You may recall several articles by Bill that have drills, i.e. how to get your body in position, etc.
You know that song "Them Bones", e.g. the footbones connected to the ankle bone etc ?
This harknens back to something Don Johnson said in one of his videos 'If you don't start right, it's hard to finish right".

Thought: If the foot work is giving you trouble, work on the foot work without the ball, then add a weighted object of some sort, then the ball.
If you think it's just the last step, then you can do a one step and focus on the slide.
If you have no problem during the drill then recall "Them Bones", i.e. something prior to the slide is preventing the desired result.

Thought to preclude LIFT - John Jowdy uses the term silky smooth; also follow through to the pins; look up his "Drag Shot"

p.s. oft times "new" things are built upon old, or enhancements of old things.
Bob Summerville wrote a few articles on balance and the approach, e.g. ball position in the stance.

There is an old movie about the Crusades in which the Saracen is meeting with King Richard.
During the meeting, there is a comparison of swords.
Richard wields his broadsword and cuts an iron rod in two.
Saracen says that "you've merely demonstrated the strength of your arm.
he then tosses a silk veil into the air and alows the veil to land on his sword. The veil is cut in tow merlely by landig on the blade.
Saracen's sword is the modern game, Richard's an older game.
Try the less is more thought ,,,