DOMS

Anybody who's ever worked out a day in their life is most likely familiar with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). DOMS is the pain, stiffness, and/or soreness that usually follows 24-72 hours after a workout, especially if the muscles being used in the workout are deconditioned or have been previously overexerted. Ever take a month off from working out seriously? You've probably had a case of DOMS to go along with your first workout.

So why exactly do people get DOMS? When you exercise, the muscles you use are contracted. When the muscles go through the concentric and eccentric phases of an exercise, tiny microtears form in the muscle tissue. As with pretty much any tissue damage to the human body, inflammation occurs around the site of the damage. These microtears, coupled with the corresponding inflammation that ensues in the muscle tissue, cause DOMS.

These muscle microtears are actually a good thing, though. The adaptations that the muscles go through after being used during exercise lead to the muscles becoming larger, stronger, and generally more capable. In other words, I think that DOMS should be viewed as a good thing. It means that your workout has satisfactory bang for its buck. And, despite the discomfort, it gives you a physical signal that your body and muscles are adapting and getting stronger. Whats not to love about that?

Now that you know, what can you do about it next time you find yourself struggling to get up or down a flight of stairs after an especially nasty encounter with B2B Tabata Squats? Properly warming up and cooling down before and after a workout can help ease the symptoms. Contrasts baths have also been used to combat DOMS. Otherwise, feel free to try working out with DOMS. The verdict is still out on whether or not working out with DOMS helps or hinders your fitness progression.

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Today's addition to the WiscFit music library has never made an appearance (to my knowledge) on Entourage. This one is some straight up hardcore rock. If this doesn't get you going during the third round of 25 burpees in a workout, I don't know what will...

Nickelback - Burn It To The Ground

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WOD 100701 Thursday

Warm-up
S/S: Tabata Squats (yes, that's right, tabata squats for the skill work)
*No records should be set on this. Go as fast as possible while keeping next to perfect form. As soon as you reach the edge of that cliff, bring it back and keep the technique spotless.
WOD: For time.
-50 Squats (at the bottom)
-1 Bascom Hill Sprint (to the top)
-15 Burpees (at the top)
-35 Squats
-1/2 Bascom Hill Sprint (halfway up)
-10 Burpees
-20 Squats
-1/4 Bascom Hill Sprint (to first path)
-5 Burpees
Finish: Dynamic stretching session for 6 minutes (side lunges, hamstring T-balances, samson stretches, perfect stretches, inch worms)