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Questions and answers about sports

DOMS: Good or Bad?

3 min read

Asked by: Chris Crossman

Is DOMS bad? Not necessarily. After performing an unaccustomed eccentric exercise, the muscle rapidly adapts to reduce further damage from the same exercise. As a result, pain and other indicators of muscle damage, such as swelling, reduced strength and reduced range of motion, are less intense the next time you train.

Is DOMS good for muscle growth?

The answer to this is, no. Muscle damage and DOMS may play a small part in muscle growth, but they by no means should be used as a primary gauge of growth following a workout.

Does DOMS mean you’re getting stronger?

The classic next-day burn known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) happens to almost everyone, even the most conditioned athletes. In most cases, it’s a perfectly normal sign that your muscles are growing stronger.

Is DOMS bad for your muscles?

Yes, there’s a strong correlation between DOMS and exercise-induced muscle damage. However, when we’re looking to build muscle (hypertrophy) there are three key mechanisms we need to factor in: mechanical tension, metabolic stress muscle damage.

Does training with DOMS good or bad?

Should I work out with DOMS? As long as the pain you’re feeling is DOMS and not something more serious, such as a muscle tear or sprain, then you should be good to keep exercising.

Does no DOMS mean no growth?

While being sore and stiff might feel oddly satisfying, however, it’s not a reliable sign that growth has been stimulated. Likewise, the fact you’re not sore doesn’t mean your muscles aren’t growing.

Can you grow without DOMS?

As your body heals from this damage, your muscles might feel sore. This process is often known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Muscle soreness is related to muscle damage, which can promote, but is not required for, muscle growth.

Does stretching help DOMS?

Foam rolling, massage and active stretching can help alleviate the discomfort of DOMS.”

What are signs of muscle growth?

How to tell if you’re gaining muscle

  • You’re gaining weight. Tracking changes in your body weight is one of the easiest ways to tell if your hard work is paying off. …
  • Your clothes fit differently. …
  • Your building strength. …
  • You’re muscles are looking “swole” …
  • Your body composition has changed.


What actually grows muscle?

Muscle hypertrophy occurs when the fibers of the muscles sustain damage or injury. The body repairs damaged fibers by fusing them, which increases the mass and size of the muscles. Certain hormones, including testosterone, human growth hormone, and insulin growth factor, also play a role in muscle growth and repair.

How long does it take to look muscular?

Noticeable muscle growth takes a long time.



Expect it to take at least three months before you start looking bigger and more muscular.

When should I stop bulking?

Because you're trying to fill that glycogen stores replenish glycogen and field training but of course if you keep shoving food down and down and down all the time and slamming yourself into the gym.

How can I tell if I gained muscle or fat?

When you gain muscle, you’ll notice that your muscles naturally look more defined and are more visible, Berkow said. (To see your abs specifically, you’d have to also lose fat.) Your muscles would also be larger in size or feel “harder.” If you gain fat, you’ll notice more softness, she said, and you’ll gain inches.

How do I know if I’m building muscle or fat?

If you have put on a small amount of weight but your clothes are getting looser, this is a tell tale sign that you are gaining muscle. Muscle is dense, firm and takes up less room than fat. On the other hand, fat is voluminous and takes up more space, which results in clothes that are tighter.