gen-define-delayed-onset-muscle-soreness-and-give-one-short-work-2886

Define delayed-onset muscle soreness and give one short worked example.

# Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) **Definition:** Delayed-onset muscle soreness is the muscle pain and stiffness that develops 24-72 hours after unaccustomed or intense exercise, particularly following eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions. It's caused by microscopic damage to muscle fibers and the resulting inflammatory response. ## Worked Example **Scenario:** Sarah, who normally jogs, decides to run downhill for 30 minutes. **Timeline:** - **During exercise:** She feels fine, maybe slight fatigue - **Immediately after:** No significant pain - **24 hours later:** Her quadriceps feel stiff and sore when walking down stairs - **48 hours later:** Peak soreness - difficulty sitting down or squatting - **72-96 hours later:** Soreness gradually subsides **Why this caused DOMS:** - Downhill running involves heavy **eccentric contractions** (quadriceps lengthening while contracting to control knee bending) - This was an **unaccustomed activity** for Sarah - These factors caused microscopic muscle fiber tears → inflammatory response → pain and stiffness with the characteristic delayed onset