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2006/03/08, 03:59 PM
Transfer of arm strength demonstrates the role of the brain and central nervous system in governing physiological systems.
This phenomenon does not seem to occur as a result of muscle fibre activity, but instead is probably associated with neural adaptations that may occur in higher brain centres, such as the motor cortex.
According to this adaption theory, when just one arm or one leg is strength trained, some of the gains in strength are transferred directly to the other arm. This occurs even though the untrained limb has done no training whatsoever.
How is this possible?
It appears that some of the augmentation can be attributed to hypertrophy of the trained limb muscles, while some of the increased strength comes as a result of a change in nervous system function.
According to Dr. Owen Anderson , "the nervous system develops an increased ability to activate and synchronise the most crucial motor units within the involved arm muscles; at the same time, it also develops the capacity to more optimally inhibit the motor units and muscles that might interfere with the desired movements."
Practical applications:
Reinforces the importance of specific training
In light of an injury in which only one limb is injured, you can retain strength in the injured limb by training the non-injured limb intensively.
I know how some of you think of M.D. but i seen this and thought it was interesting.
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