Thinking about exercise can help keep muscles toned and stronger

For some people, having the discipline just to make it to the gym is half the battle in staying fit. But new research suggests that the simple act of thinking about working out without actually doing it may be enough to tone muscle and even promote muscle growth.

Researchers from Ohio University discovered this after testing the power of intentional thought on a group of volunteers. Two groups of participants were given wrist casts for four weeks, immobilizing the use of one hand, with one of the groups told to sit and think intensely about working out for 11 minutes daily, five days a week. Individuals in this group were specifically told to devote all their mental energy toward imagining flexing their arms, while the other group was given no specific instructions.

At the end of four weeks, all participants from both groups were analyzed for muscle growth and atrophy.

Based on this assessment, it was determined that the exercise-thinking group had twice the amount of strength as the non-thinking group, demonstrating the power of mind over matter in achieving physical results.

"What our study suggests is that imagery exercises could be a valuable tool to prevent or slow muscles from becoming weaker when a health problem limits or restricts a person's mobility," said Brian Clark, author of the study and professor of physiology and neurosciences at the Ohio University Heritage College
of Osteopathic Medicine.

Seems to me this guy's missing the point! This is a pretty valuable tool for professional couch potatoes!

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