There is hope

If you have read this blog in the past, then you know I hate the term "muscle memory."  Just a short recap, but the reason for this is that the muscle cannot remember anything.  All movement is a coordinated process between the nervous system and the muscular system.  However, athletes, coaches, and even so called experts on ESPN (I'm talking about you Sport Science Guy) continue to use the term.  It was refreshing to read an article this week about Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer and his attempt to change his pitching mechanics, and to hear him use the words "neuromuscular programming" instead of "muscle memory."  He essentially said that by attempting to change his pitching mechanics, he is trying to overwrite 10 years of neuromuscular programming.  I don't know a lot about Bauer but he seems like a very smart guy.  He is essentially attempting to make some changes to his throwing motion, and this will require the brain to activate different motor units at different frequencies and with different timing patterns.  Neuromuscular programming is a good description of what is going on.  It is certainly better than muscle memory.  Hopefully more athletes and coaches will start to use this terminology and it will start to replace incorrect terminology.