No Pain. No Gain. No Problem.

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Dragon Analytics - No Pain

Featured image supplied by Komodo Paddle Club

Dragon boating is a sport and as such you may have noticed that 24 to 48 hours after a training session or Regatta, you feel sore. This soreness is known as delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS.

Special Note: One way to make sure what you’re suffering from is DOMS and not an injury, see if the pain is bilateral. Having one very sore shoulder after you’ve worked both shoulders could spell injury. Also, you will usually notice an injury immediately whereas DOMS comes on gradually.

DOMS is a byproduct of any exercising that involves the repeated lengthening and contraction of muscles. DOMS is caused by the presence of many small tears in the tiny muscle fibres that make up the larger muscle groups. These small tears results in responses in your body.

One body response is that the muscle releases growth factors to begin the repair of the muscle and adapting it to be bigger, stronger and faster. Your body is making adaptations to better prepare your muscles to do that activity again.

Another response is that the small muscle tears activate an immune response which causes swelling and pain.

So how can we maximise the positives and minimise the negatives?

Hydrate

Dehydration increases muscle damage so make sure you are well hydrated before you start exercising. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout exercise.

Figure 2 Supplied: Tip Top Lifestyle

Warm up

Warm up exercises allow your muscles to become compliant and flexible before you put them under full load.

Figure 3 Supplied: Quora

Build slowly

Most coaches have a training program that builds intensity gradually.  If you go too hard too early, severe muscle soreness will follow.

Cool down

Slowly taper down the exercise and finish with some stretching. Remove the intensity and go through the motions.

Cool down
Figure 4 Supplied: Asianetindia.com

Rest and recover

Give your muscles a chance to rest, repair and regenerate. If you find that you may have gone too hard and the pain is severe, then treat the soreness as if it’s an injury. The R.I.C.E technique (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is one option but, if pain is really severe, only use it until you are able to consult with the appropriate healthcare provider.

Take over the counter pain relief

If DOMS is preventing you from sleeping, try careful use of gentle pain relievers. The pain relievers don’t improve the healing process, but having a good night sleep is vital.

Increase your omega-3 intake

Fish and fish oil is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. These essential fats reduce the severity of inflammation and speed recovery.

Figure 5 Supplied: Mega Red

Eat veggies and fruits

Antioxidant rich fruits, such as blueberries and dark cherries, reduce the level of muscle inflammation and can speed recovery.

Other options

Figure 6 Supplied: PT2 Fitness

Other common ways to treat DOMS include foam rolling, contrast showers (alternating between hot and cold water), Epsom salt baths, and increased protein intake (to increase protein synthesis)

4 COMMENTS

    • Never a truer word spoken (written?), Geoff. I coach a team of mature paddlers and that is a message I constantly put to them. Listen to your body. You know it better than I. You know how hard you can push it. Never underestimate the power of rest.

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