Have you ever wondered why certain forms of exercise result in muscle soreness?
The technical term for muscle soreness after working out is DOMS, which stands for delayed-onset muscle soreness. Besides feeling sore, this term also includes reduced range of motion and muscle strength. You will usually experience this 24-48 hours after you try new activities/exercises or increase the intensity of your workout.
There is a myth that DOMS is caused by lactic acid build-up. Lactic acid only lasts in your muscles 1-2 hours after finishing a workout, so that’s not likely the cause. Resistance training causes micro-tears of muscle fibers, which draws increased blood flow and inflammation to the area (you may even notice some mild swelling), which stimulates the pain receptors in the muscle cell and makes them more sensitive to movement. The muscle damage is temporary, and as the muscle rebuilds itself in response to this process, it gets stronger and can handle heavier loads.
How to deal with muscle soreness
Although DOMS is a natural process that indicates your body is getting stronger, there are some things you can do at home to reduce the discomfort. Here are some tips:
- Try longer warm ups before your resistance training
- Take an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, which help promote muscle relaxation and improved circulation
- Do a gentle workout such as light cardio or stretching and yoga a day or two after an intense workout. Pick up the intensity again after the pain is gone
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