Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sue on April 21, 2010 at 4:04am

I don't think that this has much to do with age. I've always thought that the second day after anything strenuous is the one that hurts.

Permalink Reply by Joan Warburton on April 21, 2010 at 4:23am

Pain in the larger muscles hits in two days, smaller muscles the day after. It really doesn't have to do with age. This happens to everyone. Best way to get rid of it quickly is to do a bit of what caused the discomfort in the first place. Tell her to go out and walk, jog, run for a bit.

Consider the fact that your healing properties are in your blood. The way to get the blood to the same locations in the muscle so that it heals, is to repeat (not aggressively), what caused the discomfort in the first place.

Tell your friend that her body is acting perfectly normal and her gains will be on her rest or light workout days. Her body is talking to her. :)

Permalink Reply by Kathy (HoopKat) Bellamy on April 21, 2010 at 7:11am

I have always found a hot epsom salts bath helps alot! Esp right before bed. Sleep like a baby. Aleve helps too! Very important to stretch out well after these sessions.

Permalink Reply by circularlogic on April 21, 2010 at 8:23am

As I understand it, the reason this happens is that by the second day the muscle fiber has done some rebuilding, which is a good thing, but as fibers are added it pulls the muscles tighter, especially if the day in between has been inactive. Joan's exactly right that a "hair of the dog" approach works best, also stretching. Older bodies do tend to be less flexible & that may be partly why she's noticing it more now. The hot bath approach helps too because warm muscles are easier to stretch. I find that stretching & light activity on the in-between day helps a lot too, though it's too late for your friend this time!

Permalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on April 22, 2010 at 8:47am

Thanks for the advice!

Permalink Reply by Loran Hills on April 23, 2011 at 1:42pm

Hi!  I'm new here and added a post about being 58, wondering if anyone was "old" and got redirected here.  When I was in my forties I had two young children and was much more active.  I know the difference between sore from working out and injured.

 

I hooped three days in a row and found strain in muscles and my arthritic joints, and also in my right hip.  I decided to take a day off for rest.  I know that hooping will get me back in shape.  I also know I need to acknowledge that I am not as young as I used to be.  I can treat my body well and push it too.

 

I may end up trying the epsom bath salts if the aching keeps up over time!