Muscular stiffness PDF Print E-mail
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Muscular stiffness occurs one to three days after exercising strenuously or after performing an exercise that your muscles are not used to. It is often accompanied by pain and usually eases after three days. There are many theories regarding the exact reason for the pain and stiffness.

One theory is that an accumulation of lactic acid, which is formed as a result of strenuous exercise, causes the pain and stiffness. However, by the time the muscles begin to ache and grow stiff, there is no longer much, if any, lactic acid left in the muscles. Based on this fact, the connection between lactic acid and muscular stiffness is questionable. Another theory is that the small fibres which make up the muscles are damaged during exercise which results in the pain and inflammation. Yet another theory postulates that the actual process by which the muscle grows and strengthens after the exercise is what causes the pain.

Warming and stretching your muscles before exercising may aid in the reduction of stiffness experienced after exercising. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if your symptoms have not subsided within two weeks.