What type of activities typically lead to Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS)?

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) commonly occurs after high intensity training sessions, particularly those that involve eccentric contractions or unfamiliar movements. During intense workouts, especially resistance training or high-intensity interval training, the muscle fibers experience micro-tears as they adapt to the stress of the training. This physical damage leads to inflammation and soreness, which is most noticeable 24 to 72 hours post-exercise.

High intensity training often pushes muscles beyond their normal limits, resulting in greater muscle fiber disruption compared to lower intensity exercises. While rest periods and flexibility-focused workouts can enhance recovery and flexibility, they typically do not induce the level of stress on the muscles that leads to DOMS. Low intensity exercises, while beneficial for overall fitness, do not create the same degree of muscle strain necessary for developing significant soreness. Therefore, high intensity training sessions are strongly associated with the onset of DOMS due to the greater physiological demands they place on the muscles.