New insights: Muscles have their own brain

Good news for those who, after many years of abstinence from sports, start exercising regularly again: You’ll get fit again faster than someone who has never exercised. The reason: muscles have their own brain. What does that mean? Read on.

Scientist found a special DNA

Anyone who did a lot of sport in his youth has an advantage. British scientists from the universities of Keele, Manchester, and Liverpool have studied 850 000 DNA profiles using the latest genome methods. They found unique markers, so-called tags. They remain in the athlete’s muscles for the whole life. Even after many years of inactivity, these markers can immediately be “switched on” again. As a result, they ensure much more effective and faster muscle growth when one trains regularly again.

Inactivity causes muscle loss

Now the researchers want to determine how these tags can best be reactivated. This is particularly interesting for athletes who have not been able to train for longer due to an injury. As a result, the muscles lose their strength, and it takes a long time to get back in shape. If one now knows which measures are necessary to activate the tags, the regeneration time could be significantly shortened.

Doped athletes unfortunately also benefit

Unfortunately, there is another problem: These tags can also be found in athletes who dope. Even when caught and banned from the competition, they have an advantage over honest athletes when they want to return. These cheaters benefit significantly from the fact that muscles have their own brains. According to this, it is worth considering a lifetime ban from competition.