http://www.neurologyreviews.com/jan02/exerc.html

 

I was messing around with google and I happened to come onto this site. What do all of you think about this? Do you believe it works? Any Experience? I believe that it could definitely work since the mind is capable of such incredible things.

Thats way over my head.

That is one study, more would be needed in order to reach a conclusion.

 

I am vertainely not an expert in that sort of thing, but there are things I would immediately question.

 

How was this measured? Was there an actual increase in muscle size/density? Or did they just learn how to use that muscle more effieciently?

 

Did they remain relaxed, or did the muscle tense up (but remain still) in there training?

 

Visualization is definately an important tool in sports training, but I very much doubt that it can lead to muscle increases.

 

You can do this experiment on your own. Visualize yourself hitting the heavy bag for 15 minutes a day. But hitting through it with far more force then you are currently capable of. You will likely start hitting harder, but you won't be physically stronger.

Now does anyone wonder why I have said at times that Nuerologists are no better than witch doctors?

Earlier reports have demonstrated that quadriplegics, merely by thinking, can move a cursor to spell words on a computer screen...

 

that's quite a bombshell. i'd imagine if that was true, I'd hear about it on CBS news, not karateforums.com

There is plenty of information out there in the sport psychology field about positive visualization. In that sense, I believe you can "think yourself strong" but that's about it.

There is biofeedback training done in terms of chronic pain relief. And I think very high level quads learn to move computer cursors with eye movement.

Now does anyone wonder why I have said at times that Nuerologists are no better than witch doctors?

A quote from the wonderful world of emergency medicine:

 

"Neurologists don't treat disease, they merely observe it."

No, I think neurologists are and have been essentially active participants in the mind.

 

I think AndrewGreen has the appropriately skeptical attitude. This is only one study, and much more questions have to be posed before we stop going to the gym and start going to meditations.

 

It's certiainly possible that there is a new mechanism at work, but it's possibly the result of things we already know about. Experimental error of some sort or unconscious increases in the use of the muscles upon which subjects were meant to focus. (It can be VERY hard for an individual to identify an increase in use while they are focusing on mentally using it, even if they specifically try to avoid it.)

sounds like somekind of placebo effect to me... and a little too good to be true.

 

nonetheless i guess "real" training is still more effectiv than this mind stuff.