As I wrote about earlier I am on a new fitness kick called Fat Attack 2011. As a part of this attempt I have decided to use my Wii and X-Box Kinect as exercise aids. My first session was on Sunday, since then I have had very sore shoulders, and after yesterday and todays sessions some sore legs.
After writing of this on FaceBook I was made aware of DOMS. Immediately I had visions of an Italian Gourmet Pizza Parlour, but alas DOMS is delayed onset muscle soreness. DOMS (as a geek I love acronyms) is as it suggests where you feel sore long after the exercise has ceased. DOMS is most frequently felt when you begin a new exercise program, change your exercise routine, or dramatically increase the duration or intensity of your exercise routine.
So in my case my body is not used to anything beyond walking and tenpin bowling. Essentially any exercise could be considered is an increase to what my lazy arse is used to. So yes even the exercises within Kinect Sports and Wii Fit. Unwittingly I have suffered this before from the Wii and previously called this feeling a Wiinjury.
Delayed onset muscle soreness is thought to be a result of microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers. The amount of tearing (and soreness) depends on how hard and how long you exercise and what type of exercise you do. Any movement you aren’t used to can lead to DOMS. So my Kinect Sports session with the boxing and bowling obviously was very effective in ripping tiny tears through my shoulders and arms, whilst the leg workout of yesterday and today has done similar things to my legs.
DOMS effects are worse within 24 and 72 hours and gradually will subside beyond that timeframe. There are many ways to treat DOMS, but no one way is definitively the best. In the past I have tried the “wait it out” approach. In this approach you do nothing but wait for the pain to go away. However, I am going to try an alternative approach of “active recovery”. Basically lower intensity activities until the DOMS effects are gone. The theory is that the continued use helps increase blood flow through the area. This blood flow assists with the muscle recovery and adaptation to more continued use.
So today I will be head back to the filthy Munmorrah Circuit Duck Pond for a morning walk before work. I will also be bowling in the evening. Depending on how I pull up after bowling I may squeeze in some Wii Fit with some of the yoga type work outs.
Having delved into DOMS, I guess I now know the true meaning of no pain, no gain! I also expect that I am going to be generally sore for a few weeks whilst my lard arse gets its groove back.
P.S.: A graphical track will be kept on progress in the sidebar to the right.
