The below is from John Hearns excellent "Performance Under Fire" lecture. You can also see information on this in the book "Building Shooters" by Dustin Salomon.
Myelination
•The development of “muscle memory” involves PHYSICAL changes to the brain. (human uniqueness)
•Myelin is an insulating sheath that connects neurons to neurons (not speed of light).
•Myelin makes nervous impulses travel faster and the nervous system more efficient. (precision)
•If a pathway is used repeatedly, the amount of myelin connecting the neurons increases.
•If a pathway is used repeatedly, the nervous impulses physically travel faster.
•Literally developing a bigger highway.
So the reason "muscle memory" is a misnomer, as I understand it. is that muscles don't have memories. What is really being talked about are changes in the brain and nervous system. With enough proper repetitions we can "overlearn" a task which allows us to complete it with unconscious competence or to use something else I have taken from John Hearn, automaticity.
Last edited by MVS; 08-13-2017 at 01:46 PM.