by Jack Kenefick on April 8, 2010
Many people complain of muscle soreness a day or two after performing exercises such as heavy lifting or explosive plyometrics. This soreness is known as delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is usually a sign that the workout is producing results. With adequate rest and recovery, muscles that experience micro trauma during a workout will become stronger and more efficient.
DOMS does not affect everyone in the same way however. Two people who have similar levels of muscular strength and endurance may have very different results as far as soreness, even after completing the exact same workout. A new study is showing that this may be linked to flexibility.
When tested, subjects who were less flexible experienced higher levels of DOMS and muscular tenderness than those who were more flexible. The less flexible subjects also lost significantly more isometric strength with a marked increase in creatine kinase activity, which is an indicator of damage to the muscle.
In this study, subjects performed eccentric contractions, which serve to lengthen the muscle. This lead researchers to surmise that lengthening, or eccentrically contracting, stiff and inflexible muscles not only leads to muscle damage but also produces higher levels of metabolic stress. This in turn limits one’s ability to workout at a higher intensity for a long period of time. Higher levels of flexibility serve to protect against muscle damage and may allow for greater workout intensity and duration following eccentric exercises.
Flexibility training is a vital component of a successful exercise program and should be integrated into any strength training program.
Tags: personal trainer; weight training; strength training; fitness trainer; fitness training; personal training; fitness coach; exercise program; fitness instructor; fitness trainers; personal fitness trainer; fitness strength training; gym trainer; exercise trainer; weight loss training; Newport Beach; Huntington Beach; Costa Mesa; Irvine; Santa Ana
The use of any advice on this website is at your own risk. Please consult us, or any other professional, licensed personal trainer or your health care professional, like your doctor, first to see if the advice is applicable to your specific situation.
Sign up for a free 2 Week Trial
Fill out the form below
to begin getting fit!
Copyright © Balanced Life Fitness. All rights reserved.
Design IguanaDesignStudio.com
Development BrandingPersonality.com