DOMS that isn’t kinky

Achy legs

Another reasonable night’s sleep. That was with the blanket rather than the duvet, so I wasn’t as warm, and on a single sleeper because I plan to go for a run this morning. My legs are still really achy, which is very strange, in the past I never got DOMS after exercise (delayed onset muscle soreness), I’m wondering how much of it is due to not doing weights for two months, and how much (if any) I can ascribe to low testosterone.

I asked ChatGPT:

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is typically caused by microscopic damage to muscle fibers resulting from strenuous exercise or physical activity. While low testosterone levels can contribute to decreased muscle mass, strength, and recovery, there isn’t direct evidence to suggest that low testosterone directly causes DOMS. However, lower testosterone levels might affect muscle repair and recovery processes, potentially exacerbating DOMS symptoms. If you’re experiencing persistent DOMS or suspect low testosterone levels, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

So maybe. Of course, ChatGPT’s responses can be inaccurate or problematic in other ways, but I had a small side occupation as a personal trainer for a couple of years and what ChatGPT says reads plausible (maybe that’s a problem – I’d better do some cross-checking).

There is no direct evidence, however, since testosterone is key in muscle recovery after exercise, I believe that it is a contributing factor, how much so I cannot say.

From my training, I remember that eccentric (the lengthening part of the muscle’s activity during weight training) seems to be more associated with DOMS. Also, that exercise seems to aid recovery from DOMS, so I will be going for a run this morning.

A surprising improvement

I have just finished my usual Sunday run. I was expecting to run less far because of the muscle soreness. Actually, I’m up from 2.5k to 4.4k! I was slower, but not by much. I had zero stops. I felt like I was in the last few kilometres of a marathon. In all, I’m pretty pleased!

That said, I’m really looking forward to the next part of the experiment: exercise with testosterone.