Do muscles really have memory? No. But muscles do have cells called 'proprioceptors' that detect any changes in position, force or tension of your muscles and translates that information to your brain via the central nervous system.

So for the context of this web page, the ability to perform a series of physically 'learned' movements without CONSCIOUSLY thinking about them will be referred to as "Muscle Memory". For a good example of the principle of muscle memory, watch an experienced typist. Note that they look at the document or computer screen, not at the keyboard. And yet their fingers precisely locate each of 52 or more keys with amazing speed and accuracy. Many typist can exceed 60 words per minute. Assuming an average word length of just five characters, they hit a key accurately every 200 milliseconds! How does the human mind and body synchronize to accomplish this? Imagine the rate that you would type if you had to carefully (consciously) guide your fingers to the keys? (Well, it's no stretch for me to imagine such a slow rate while keyboarding.) The proficient typist is using the link between their conscious mind, subconscious mind and the propriocepters of their muscles. They ALLOW their fingers to find the keys without interference from their conscious mind. Through training and practice, their typing becomes 'automatic'. If you know of someone that can type quickly without looking at the keys, ask them to start watching their fingers on the keyboard. They will slow down and begin making errors. Why? Because the moment they observe their fingers, the conscious mind takes over control of the muscles. Proving the subconscious mind is much more proficient that the conscious mind.

The same is true for our performance in the sport of bowling. Through training in the principles of the delivery of a bowling ball and consistent practice, the subconcious mind can begin assuming the delivery of the ball to a target at a repetitive speed and rotation resulting in frequent strikes and a higher percentage of picking up spares.

Williams Sports Consulting offers custom-designed presentations on the principles of muscle memory and the keys to using those principles to improve athletic performance through self-actualization and its application to successful coaching for almost any sport.