muscle soreness/recovery

Cakes · Feb 10, 2004

Can anyone answer me why I am only slightly sore the day after but extremely sore 2 days after? (ie., back on Sunday yet not really sore until this AM). I've only noticed this for about the last 2 or 3 years.

And please, don't anyone say it's because I'm not training hard enough:angry:. I don't leave the gym until I'm dripping.

supersport · Feb 10, 2004

Cakes said:
Can anyone answer me why I am only slightly sore the day after but extremely sore 2 days after? (ie., back on Sunday yet not really sore until this AM). I've only noticed this for about the last 2 or 3 years.

And please, don't anyone say it's because I'm not training hard enough:angry:. I don't leave the gym until I'm dripping.

That is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness-DOMS. it is caused by the microscopic tearing of muscle fibers...the harder you train the more soreness there will be (in most cases).

Soreness used to be attributed to Lactic Acid...but this was disproved several years ago. The lactic acid leaves the muscle fairly quickly before DOMS occurs.

Arned Flanderss · Feb 10, 2004

Sore or not a muscle can be trained 6 hours after the previous stress with highly tuned athletes(us) and proper recovery techniques. I do not reccomend this although I have trained a muscle ED for 3 weeks with phenomonal results. Ofcourse over training is sure to set in if I continued this, that is why I ramp my volume and intensity.
I just wanted to through this in here so I can see from the consensus, usaully, how "wrong" I am.

gypsymoth · Feb 10, 2004

that this latent soreness is closely associated with the eccentric, or negative,phase of muscular effort...During negative work the muscle fibers are contracting and attempting to cause a shortening of the muscle. But the resistance is greater than the force developed,so the muscle and associated connective tissue is actually lengthening.... So if I'm not experience this does that mean I'm not lifting enough and should increase my weights or reps.?

supersport · Feb 10, 2004

gypsymoth said:
that this latent soreness is closely associated with the eccentric, or negative,phase of muscular effort...During negative work the muscle fibers are contracting and attempting to cause a shortening of the muscle. But the resistance is greater than the force developed,so the muscle and associated connective tissue is actually lengthening.... So if I'm experience this does that mean I'm not lifting enough and should increase my weights or reps.?

If you are experiencing the delayed muscle soreness (1-2 days after training) this is exactly where you want to be IMO.

If the resistance (the weight) is greater than the force developed (your muscle strength) this is eccentric (negatives) exercise which supposedly is better at inducing DOMS than is concentric exercise, which in turn increases muscle hypertrophy (assuming nutrition and rest are being met).
If you are doing negatives already I don't think you need to increase the resistance(weight).

I started a thread earlier today " Homonunculus-question" in which I hope Randy will address these different types of exercise.

supersport · Feb 10, 2004

gypsymoth said:
But the resistance is greater than the force developed,so the muscle and associated connective tissue is actually lengthening.... So if I'm not experience this does that mean I'm not lifting enough and should increase my weights or reps.?

After re-reading your post it appears as though you are asking if the muscle itself is actually lengthening.

It is impossible to lengthen our muscles. Muscles are connected to bones by our tendons....the only way one could be lengthened is by surgery, and even then I would think it is impossible. When guys tear a biceps for instance, when the tendon detaches from the bone, the tendon is usually reattached in a way where the muscle is actually shortened.
Some people say you can spot train a muscle-like the lower bi or lower calf....to make it appear longer but I am skeptical of this really.
Chest and back muscles you may be able to target different parts of the muscle but these are not classic 2 joint muscles such as muscles of the legs and arms.

Cakes · Feb 10, 2004

Thanks...

I understand about DOMS. What I don't understand is why it takes an extra day. Like I said before, the muscle group I train doesn't get sore until the day after next which seems odd to me.

supersport · Feb 10, 2004

Re: Thanks...

Cakes said:
I understand about DOMS. What I don't understand is why it takes an extra day. Like I said before, the muscle group I train doesn't get sore until the day after next which seems odd to me.

DOMS still isn't totally understood. Some say it is damaged nerve endings that cause inflammation and swelling, others say that is unfounded. Here is a website that you can check out -

www.sportsmed.info/articles/doms.html

GetnBigr · Feb 11, 2004

I'm the same way. It's the second day after training that I really feel the soreness set in.

lets me know I worked them hard!

homonunculus · Feb 11, 2004

supersport said:
After re-reading your post it appears as though you are asking if the muscle itself is actually lengthening.

It is impossible to lengthen our muscles. Muscles are connected to bones by our tendons....the only way one could be lengthened is by surgery, and even then I would think it is impossible.

Hey SS,

Gotcha back in that other thread.

BTW, yes, of course you can lengthen a muscle. This is the whole point of skeletal muscle tissue - to lengthen and shorten while producing force.

I think you mean that you can't change the distance between a muscle's attachments at a given skeletal anatomical position.

-Randy

supersport · Feb 12, 2004

homonunculus said:
I think you mean that you can't change the distance between a muscle's attachments at a given skeletal anatomical position.

-Randy

You are readin' my mind...sorry I couldn't explain it as easy as you....

Hey...I need ya to start proof reading some of my posts! LOL!

BTW-thanks for the answer in the other thread. Gonna start more focus on negative work. I am getting closer to 40...gotta try somethin to keep up with the young guns....lol

LabRat · Feb 13, 2004

interseting..sometimes I am more sore 3rd day even when doing heavy legs.

homonunculus · Feb 13, 2004

DangerousGround said:
interseting..sometimes I am more sore 3rd day even when doing heavy legs.

DG,

Not terribly unusual. More interesting is your new avatar. LMAO!!!

-Randy

muscle soreness/recovery

Cakes

New member

supersport

New member

Arned Flanderss

New member

gypsymoth

New member

supersport

New member

supersport

New member

Cakes

New member

supersport

New member

GetnBigr

New member

homonunculus

New member

supersport

New member

LabRat

New member

homonunculus

New member

Similar threads