| So what does muscle soreness mean? There are | | | | heavier weights. Many researchers have coined in that |
| quite a number of definitions for this term. This is a | | | | this process is a direct lane to better muscle growth. |
| general overview of the process of soreness. | | | | Many bodybuilders with this knowledge know that |
| The 1st one is the discomfort that forms in the | | | | soreness is a good sign of progress not only of the |
| muscles some 48 hours after an intensely heavy | | | | muscle size but also lifting more heavy poundages. |
| workout. This discomfort is brought about by the | | | | This however comes with the caution that one needs |
| accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. The 2nd | | | | to allow the muscles need ample time to recover |
| definition of soreness is the actual destruction of the | | | | hence further training should come in say a week later. |
| muscle fiber. | | | | This facilitates better growing of the muscles. |
| It is also a common knowledge among bodybuilders | | | | Doctors' point of view |
| that one should not continue training until the soreness | | | | Soreness that comes up after every workout may |
| is no more. It is however clear that bodybuilders need | | | | indicate that one is training less adequately and less |
| more knowledge on this topic of muscle soreness. | | | | often. |
| How then does the Soreness start? | | | | The doctors seem to indicate that soreness occurs to |
| While lifting heavy, it is always the lowering part of | | | | prevent the bodybuilder from further training as the |
| lifting that takes a major toll on most athletes. This is | | | | muscle needs time to heal and is somewhat |
| because one is resisting the pull of gravity on the | | | | connected to the connective tissue good health. Thus |
| weight and the actual of the weight itself. Therefore | | | | the doctors are for the principle that one should not |
| the body experiences damage in the muscle especially | | | | train anymore until the muscles recover fully. |
| the fiber of the fast twitch muscles and in the tissue of | | | | Once a bodybuilder has experienced proper soreness |
| the less flexible tendons. These two body parts are | | | | of the muscles, one becomes adequately shielded |
| the most crucial in lifting heavy. As the tissues are | | | | from further soreness for about 6 weeks while training |
| damaged, calcium and other compounds seep into the | | | | with the same weights and intensity. In the bodybuilding |
| cell membrane thus causing more damage to the | | | | world, this is reffered to as "the repeated bout effect". |
| muscle fiber. The result is muscle inflammation which | | | | This effect however, does not shield one from |
| leads to stiffness of the muscles. This phenomenon is | | | | soreness resulting from increased poundage and |
| referred to as muscle soreness. The soreness | | | | intensity. 6 weeks is quite a long time to stick with the |
| persists for about 3 to 7 days but eventually subsides. | | | | same weight and intensity. This means that one should |
| Soreness in relation to muscle growth. | | | | aim to train progressively and thus experience higher |
| When the muscles recover fully, they become more | | | | levels of muscle soreness. |
| resistant and they can therefore handle workouts with | | | | |