DOMS

WHY YOU GET DOMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES

1. How soon should someone expect to feel DOMS? Does it depend on exercise form i.e. running/weight lifting/Pilates?

After a workout, an individual can experience DOMS between 12 and 24 hours. It also depends on the workout volume and intensity. For example, more repetitions and force applied on muscles can cause more severe DOMS.

2. How come DOMS sometimes occurs very quickly – within 12 hours or so – and other times takes up to two days?

Onset of soreness relates to how rich your muscles are in nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and water. If you have enough nutrients, there is less damage to the muscles’ repairing process, unlike those with insufficient nutrients.

3. What does the timings of DOMS mean – i.e. does faster DOMS mean less/better recovered, the session was easier/harder, etc?

DOMS mainly depend on how much stress is exerted on muscle fibers. If the stress is more, then one is likely to undergo faster.

4. Why do some DOMS last so much longer than others? Are 7 day DOMS, for example, a sign of poor immunity/your body failing to recover?

As said earlier, it is probably due to limited nutrients in the body, especially proteins, which promote muscle recovery. I always tell exercisers to engage in active rest, eat foods rich in proteins, and stretch the sore muscles for faster recovery.

Crystal Kadir

MS, Durham University
GP

The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.

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