Within the current paradigm of the myonuclear domain theory, it is postulated that a linear relationship exists between muscle fibre size and myonuclear content. The myonuclear domain is kept (relatively) constant by adding additional nuclei (supplied by muscle satellite cells) during muscle fibre hypertrophy and nuclear loss (by apoptosis) during muscle fibre atrophy. However, data from recent animal studies suggest that myonuclei that are added to support muscle fibre hypertrophy are not lost within various muscle atrophy models. Such myonuclear permanence has been suggested to constitute a mechanism allowing the muscle fibre to (re)grow more efficiently during retraining, a phenomenon referred to as “muscle memory.” The concept of “muscle memory by myonuclear permanence” has mainly been based on data attained from rodent experimental models. Whether the postulated mechanism also holds true in humans remains largely ambiguous. Nevertheless, there are several studies in humans that provide evidence to potentially support or contradict (parts of) the muscle memory hypothesis. The goal of the present review was to discuss the evidence for the existence of “muscle memory” in both animal and human models of muscle fibre hypertrophy as well as atrophy. Furthermore, to provide additional insight in the potential presence of muscle memory by myonuclear permanence in humans, we present new data on previously performed exercise training studies. Finally, suggestions for future research are provided to establish whether muscle memory really exists in humans.

中文翻译：

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骨骼肌记忆的概念：来自动物和人体研究的证据。

在肌核结构域理论的当前范例中，假定肌肉纤维大小与肌核含量之间存在线性关系。通过在肌肉纤维肥大过程中添加其他核（由肌肉卫星细胞提供）和在肌肉纤维萎缩过程中核丢失（通过凋亡）来保持（相对）恒定的肌核结构域。但是，来自最新动物研究的数据表明，在各种肌肉萎缩模型中不会丢失为支持肌肉纤维肥大而添加的肌核。已经提出这种肌核永久性构成一种机制，该机制允许肌肉纤维在再训练期间更有效地（重新）生长，这种现象称为“肌肉记忆”。“通过肌核持久性肌肉记忆”的概念主要基于从啮齿动物实验模型获得的数据。假定的机制是否在人类中也成立，在很大程度上还不清楚。然而，人类中有几项研究提供了可能支持或矛盾（部分）肌肉记忆假设的证据。本综述的目的是讨论两种动物中存在“肌肉记忆”的证据和人类模型的肌肉纤维肥大以及萎缩。此外，为了通过人类的肌核永久性提供有关肌肉记忆潜在存在的更多见解，我们提供了以前进行的运动训练研究的新数据。最后，为将来的研究提供建议，以建立人类中是否确实存在肌肉记忆。