Muscle mimicry

Monica Dawson performs Double Dutch on Heroes.

Muscle mimicry is a super-power which allows the user the ability to instantly duplicate the physical actions of another just by witnessing the act. No additional practice or training is required, though their ability to replicate such a feat with perfect precision may be reliant upon the individual's own physical conditioning. For example, if a person possessing this power witnesses someone performing parkours, they would then be able to perfectly duplicate the movements.

In science fiction, the use of muscle mimicry was demonstrated in the NBC television series Heroes. The character of Monica Dawson developed this power after watching professional wrestler Rey Mysterio perform his "619" manuever on television. She was then able to adopt the manuever into her own muscle memory and perform it flawlessly to stop a thief. She also used this ability to learn how to play the piano, create culinary art and learn Double Dutch jump-roping.

In comic books, the Marvel Comics supervillain, the Taskmaster also possesses this power. In a world filled with physically-trained combatants, this proves to be a very useful power indeed, and he has used it to imitate the fighting styles of heroes such as Captain America and Daredevil. The Taskmaster refers to this ability as photographic reflexes and only needs to see an action performed once and is able to perform it perfectly. This also applies to physical skills such as archery, swordsmanship and acrobatics.

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