Chris Walton

Director of training, Embody Fitness

embodyfitness.ae Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is caused by tiny fractures to muscle cells and is usually experienced between 24 and 48 hours post-exercise. It usually occurs when we significantly change something (intensity/type of exercise) and therefore does not signal an effective or ineffective workout, but does indicate that you have tested your body in new ways. The body adapts quickly and so DOMS should not occur if you do the same exercises, even with increasing intensity. If DOMS occurs too often you are probably randomising your workouts too much and need to follow a more structured programme. The true effectiveness of a workout is determined by the relevance of the exercise to your goals and the intensity you apply in the session.