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Sherry Mohr

"DOMS: Embrace the Sore, Unlock the Strong!"

DOMS(delayed onset muscle soreness) has been on my mind lately.🤔


As a certified personal trainer & fitness coach, I believe it's crucial for my clients to understand this natural physiological response to exercise.


By discussing DOMS with my clients, I aim to provide them with insights into why they experience muscle soreness after workouts, how it signifies muscle adaptation and growth, and practical strategies to manage it effectively.


This knowledge not only empowers them to differentiate between normal soreness and potential injury but also encourages a more informed and sustainable approach to their fitness routines. 🏋️‍♀️


DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is often misunderstood due to several reasons.


Firstly, its onset can vary widely among individuals, making it difficult to predict and generalize.


Secondly, the exact physiological mechanisms behind DOMS, while related to muscle tissue damage and inflammation, are still not fully elucidated, leading to different interpretations and theories in scientific literature.


Additionally, the perception of soreness can vary based on factors like fitness level, exercise type, and hydration status, further complicating its understanding.


Moreover, misconceptions about DOMS being a sign of a "good" or "bad" workout can lead to confusion among fitness enthusiasts. 


To find the most accurate information on DOMS, I consulted the works of Chris Beardsley and Brad Schoenfeld.🦸👨‍🔬


Chris Beardsley is a fitness researcher and writer known for his work in strength and conditioning. He is particularly recognized for his evidence-based approach to exercise science and has contributed extensively to the understanding of topics like muscle physiology, training adaptations, and sports performance.


Beardsley often shares his insights through articles, research reviews, and educational content aimed at athletes, coaches, and fitness enthusiasts seeking to optimize their training strategies. His work is valued for its clarity, practicality, and commitment to bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application in the field of fitness and sports performance.


Brad Schoenfeld is a well-known figure in the fitness and exercise science community. He is a respected researcher, author, and educator specializing in muscle hypertrophy (muscle growth)💪, body composition, and strength training.


Schoenfeld holds a Ph.D. in health sciences and has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers and books that have significantly contributed to the understanding of resistance training and its effects on the body. His contributions have had a profound impact on shaping contemporary practices in strength training and exercise prescription.⚕️🏋️‍♀️


Chris Beardsley and Brad Schoenfeld generally align on the understanding of DOMS based on their respective research and writings in the field of exercise science. Both acknowledge DOMS as a natural response to strenuous or unfamiliar exercise, characterized by microscopic muscle fiber damage and subsequent inflammation. They emphasize that DOMS is not necessarily an indicator of workout effectiveness but rather a part of the muscle adaptation process.


Chris Beardsley explains Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) from a technical perspective involving several physiological processes:


  1. Mechanical Damage: DOMS is partly attributed to mechanical damage to muscle fibers and the connective tissue that surrounds them. This damage occurs primarily during eccentric contractions, where muscles lengthen under tension, such as during the lowering phase of a squat or the descent in a bicep curl.

  2. Inflammatory Response: Following this mechanical damage, there is an inflammatory response in the affected muscles. This response involves the release of cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which recruit immune cells to the damaged area to facilitate repair.

  3. Increased Sensitivity to Pain: DOMS involves increased sensitivity of pain receptors (nociceptors) within the muscle tissue. This heightened sensitivity is due to various biochemical factors, including the accumulation of bradykinin, prostaglandins, and other substances that sensitize nerve endings and contribute to the sensation of pain.

  4. Swelling and Stiffness: The inflammatory process also leads to localized swelling (edema) and stiffness in the affected muscles. This swelling can contribute to the sensation of tightness and discomfort associated with DOMS.

  5. Adaptation and Recovery: Over time, as the inflammatory response subsides and muscle repair occurs, the muscles adapt by becoming stronger and more resistant to future bouts of similar exercise. This adaptation process, known as the repeated bout effect, explains why DOMS tends to diminish with continued exposure to the same type of exercise.

  6. Strategies for Mitigation: Strategies to mitigate DOMS focus on minimizing the initial mechanical damage and managing the inflammatory response. These include progressive overload (gradually increasing exercise intensity), adequate warm-up and cool-down routines, proper hydration and nutrition, as well as active recovery techniques like light exercise, foam rolling, and stretching.


Beardsley's explanation underscores the intricate interplay between mechanical damage, inflammation, and sensory perception in the manifestation of DOMS. It highlights DOMS as a complex yet natural response to exercise-induced stress that ultimately contributes to muscle adaptation and growth.


Brad Schoenfeld's explanation of DOMS centers on its physiological mechanisms and practical implications in exercise science. He describes DOMS as muscle soreness that typically develops 24-72 hours after strenuous or unaccustomed exercise, particularly activities involving eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions. Schoenfeld emphasizes that DOMS results from microscopic damage to muscle fibers and subsequent inflammatory responses, rather than simply a buildup of lactic acid.


In his work, Schoenfeld underscores that DOMS is a natural and expected response to exercise-induced muscle damage, indicating that muscles are adapting and becoming stronger. He stresses the importance of progressive overload and proper recovery strategies to manage DOMS effectively while promoting muscle repair and growth.


Schoenfeld's research often explores practical recommendations for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to minimize DOMS discomfort, including gradual increases in training intensity, adequate hydration, and nutrition tailored to support muscle recovery. His evidence-based approach aims to optimize training outcomes while minimizing the risk of injury associated with excessive muscle soreness.


Chris Beardsley and Brad Schoenfeld both provide comprehensive explanations of DOMS rooted in exercise physiology. They agree that DOMS results from eccentric muscle contractions causing microscopic muscle fiber damage and subsequent inflammation.


Both emphasize that DOMS is a natural response indicating muscle adaptation and growth, rather than a sign of ineffective training. They advocate for progressive overload in training, proper recovery strategies, and individualized approaches to manage DOMS effectively.


Understanding DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is crucial for anyone committed to fitness. It's not just about enduring soreness; it's about recognizing that DOMS signifies a positive adaptation in our muscles.💪 Embrace it as a sign of progress,🫶 but also take proactive steps like proper hydration🚰, nutrition🥗, and gradual progression➡️ in training to manage it effectively.


By understanding and respecting DOMS, we can optimize our workouts,🏋️‍♀️ enhance recovery,💤 and achieve our fitness goals with confidence and resilience. 👋


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