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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Uncovering Muscle Memory: New Research Reveals Protein-Level “Memory” of Previous Resistance Training

Researchers investigated the quantities of thousands of muscle proteins and found a possible new explanation for muscle memory. A study showed for the first time that muscles ‘remember’ training at the protein level. The memory trace of previous resistance training persists in muscle proteins for over two months.
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The concept of muscle memory has long been debated among fitness enthusiasts and scientists. While it’s often thought that the effects of exercise are short-lived, new research from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, reveals a possible explanation for muscle memory at the protein level.

In a study published in the Journal of Physiology, researchers investigated the quantities of thousands of muscle proteins after ten weeks of resistance training followed by a two-month break and then another ten weeks of resistance training. Using advanced mass spectrometry equipment, they found that muscles “remember” previous resistance training for over two months at the protein level.

The study identified two types of change profiles in muscle proteins: one group returned to their pre-training state during the break, only to change again during the new training period, similar to the first training period. These included proteins related to aerobic metabolism.

Another group of proteins changed as a result of training and remained changed during the break and after the new training period. Among these proteins were several calcium-binding proteins, such as calpain-2, whose gene has recently been identified to retain a memory trace even after a training break.

“This study shows that muscles ‘remember’ previous resistance training at the protein level for at least two and a half months,” says lead researcher Professor Juha Hulmi from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. “Even though muscles eventually shrink back to their original size during a long training break, a memory trace of previous training remains in the muscles, making it easier to start training again.”

The research has significant implications for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who may be concerned about muscle loss during periods of rest or injury. By understanding the mechanisms behind muscle memory, individuals can develop strategies to maintain their gains and make the most out of their training efforts.

The study is part of a larger TraDeRe research project funded by the Research Council of Finland and led by Associate Professor of Coaching Science Juha Ahtiainen (PI) in collaboration with Juha Hulmi (Co-PI). The data collection was carried out at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, and proteomic analyses were conducted on 116 muscle samples at the University of Helsinki.

Source:University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto
Original Link:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415144022.htm
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Caregiving

Lasting Fatigue After a Mini-Stroke: A Common but Mysterious Symptom

A transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, is typically defined as a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes symptoms that go away within a day, but a new study finds that people who have this type of stroke may also have prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year.
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May 15, 2025

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Lasting Fatigue After a Mini-Stroke: A Common but Mysterious Symptom

A recent study has shed light on a concerning phenomenon following a mini-stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While TIAs are temporary blockages of blood flow to the brain that resolve within 24 hours, some people may experience prolonged fatigue lasting up to a year. This study, published in Neurology®, has found an association between mini-strokes and lasting fatigue, but it does not prove causation.

Researchers from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark conducted the study, involving 354 participants with an average age of 70 who had experienced a TIA. The participants were followed for a year, during which they completed questionnaires to report their level of fatigue at four different time points: within two weeks after the mini-stroke, and again at three, six, and twelve months later.

The questionnaires assessed five types of fatigue, including overall tiredness, physical tiredness, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue. Scores ranged from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more fatigue. Notably, participants had an average score of 12.3 at the start of the study, which decreased slightly over time but remained elevated.

The researchers found that 61% of participants experienced fatigue two weeks after the mini-stroke, and this persisted in 54% of participants at three, six, and twelve months later. Furthermore, they discovered that previous anxiety or depression was twice as common in those who reported lasting fatigue.

While brain scans showed no significant difference in clot presence between those with long-term fatigue and those without it, the study highlights the importance of monitoring patients for lingering symptoms after a mini-stroke. This could help healthcare providers better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care.

As one researcher noted, “Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants, and we found that if people experience fatigue within two weeks after leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year.”

This study’s findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to assess patients for lingering symptoms after a mini-stroke and provide appropriate care. By doing so, they can help alleviate the burden of prolonged fatigue on these individuals and their families.

Note: The article has been rewritten to improve clarity, structure, and style while maintaining the core ideas. The prompt for image generation is included at the beginning of the rewritten article.

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Behavior

Exercise as an Anti-Aging Intervention: Avoiding the Detrimental Impact of Mental Fatigue

Retired adults who habitually exercised outperformed sedentary adults in physical and cognitive tests.
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April 4, 2025

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The research is clear: regular exercise can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being, especially as we age. A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity has shed new light on the importance of physical activity for adults, particularly when it comes to avoiding the negative effects of mental fatigue.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Extremadura in Spain conducted two studies with groups of adults aged 65-79 and 66-72. The results were striking: sedentary men between 65 and 79 performed worse in cognitive and physical tests compared to their younger peers, and these impairments worsened when they were tested in a state of mental fatigue.

However, the second study revealed a different story. Retired men and women who engaged in regular physical activity performed better than their sedentary counterparts, even when mentally fatigued. This suggests that exercise can be an effective anti-aging intervention, helping to mitigate the negative effects of age on cognitive and physical performance.

Professor Chris Ring from the University of Birmingham emphasized the importance of physical activity for adults as they get older. He noted that regular exercise has a host of benefits, including improved cognition, increased exercise capacity, and greater mental fatigue resilience. For older adults in particular, regular exercise represents a simple but effective means to stave off the effects of age.

So, what can older adults do to improve their performance in demanding situations? Professor Ring suggests three active steps:

1. Increase levels of regular physical activity: Engage in activities that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or weightlifting.
2. Warm up using a combination of cognitive and physical tasks: This will help prepare you for upcoming physical performance challenges, especially when feeling mentally fatigued.
3. Train using Brain Endurance Training (BET): This method combines cognitive and exercise tasks to improve mental fatigue resilience and enhance physical performance.

In conclusion, the research is clear: regular exercise can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being, especially as we age. By incorporating physical activity into their daily routine, older adults can stave off the negative effects of age and improve their overall quality of life.

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