Muscle Soreness
DELAYED ONSET of MUSCLE SORENESS (DOMS)
The most common complaint of beginning any exercise program is the soreness or general stiffness the next day that may last one to several days. It may leave and then return when you feel that you have done very little to stress your muscles. The sign or symptom is commonly called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS for short.
This phenomenon has been studied by many since working out has become a thing to do. The thing about it is no one is immune to it, whether you are an experienced runner or just the beginner. It is easy to predict in someone who is beginning a work out program or you are coming off a lay off due to an injury or just simply taking some time off. The frustration comes from the conditioned athlete who gets it after they change something in their work out and they feel they are in good shape.
The primary cause is from over stressing a particular muscle group or joint. Your muscles and joints become accustom to the repetitive movement patterns you place your body through. Does the term “muscle memory” ring a bell? When you do a different pattern of movement or are placing an additional stress load on them that they are not used to your muscle tissue must react.
Should you be concerned about DOMS? Look at it as an early warning signal. Did you do something different that brought it on? If yes, then consider it a form of cross training, where you stressed the muscles or joints and the tissue responded like any normal healthy tissue would. If you have done nothing to bring it on, then maybe you are over training or a candidate for a possible up coming injury. How old are your shoes? Are you sleeping and eating properly? Getting plenty of hydration? Have you been doing the same workout? Does your gait pattern feel different? These are all questions you should ask yourself.
If you continue to develop episodes of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness please see your family physician. I would recommend you see someone who is familiar with working with athletes who will have some idea of the causes of DOMS.
