The theory of muscle amnesia advances the idea of insufficient neural activation as a common cause of muscle dysfunction. The theory has so far gone unaddressed within the literature. The author presents here a review of this theory, together with a review of the surrounding literature, in order to assess its claims. The conclusion is that, rather than insufficient neural activation, it is the mechanical properties of connective tissue and the interaction of this with the neuromuscular system that drives the observed problems. This interaction shapes function and adaptation, mediating the transfer of muscle-generated forces, and thus determines how the system can respond to imposed demands and the resultant adaptations.