Ever wonder why you feel fine right after your workout but you get progressively more sore in the 24-48 hours following. This nice guest blog will tell you what’s happening.
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can be described as muscle pain, soreness, or stiffness that presents itself within the body after a day or two after exercise. Most of the time DOMS occurs when you begin a new exercise program, change your routine, or increase your intensity when you exercise. Some people new to exercise are not aware of DOMS, but actually it’s a normal process to a new exercise. This also enables your body to adapt and help lead to greater strength, gains and stamina as your muscles recover.
Studies indicate that DOMS is related to microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers and the amount of tearing relates to how hard and how long you exercise. Basically any movement you are not accustomed to can lead to DOMS. It’s been shown that eccentric muscle contractions or movements that contract muscles while they lengthen can cause the most soreness. An example would be downward motion when lowering the weight on a bicep curl, or the downward motion of squats and push-ups. At the present time, there is no known way to treat DOMS however ice and anti-inflammatory medications may reduce discomfort.
Really clear and informative explanation of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). I like how you pointed out that soreness doesn’t happen immediately but usually develops 24–48 hours after exercise, especially when starting a new routine or increasing intensity . The focus on muscle microtears and adaptation makes it easier to understand why DOMS is actually part of getting stronger. The mention of eccentric movements causing more soreness is also very useful. Overall, a practical and insightful read for anyone serious about training and recovery.