The significance of DOMS?

[MisterSuperGod]

Does Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness have any significance when it comes to muscle growth?

Should DOMS be used as an indicator that you've done too much? Just enough?

Help me understand, i want to learn, Damn it!

 

[Eman]

DOMS is generally accepted as having no extra benefit to training. You can, and will, make the same amount of progress by working muscle groups and getting no DOMS.

However, getting DOMS does mean that you've done something different and achieved some kind of adaptive response. I've always felt that this does mean that DOMS is something of a good thing, and science somewhat agrees with me, because the MOA that causes DOMS can be good things.

With that said, just because you don't get hit with DOMS, it doesn't mean you didn't work out properly or accomplish the same things. Plus, you'll see almost no added benefit from that one training session that gave you DOMS... And trying to have DOMS all the time is a good way to screw up training because it'll eventually become counterproductive.

Another fun fact, the best way to treat muscle soreness is to train... The relief is temporary though. So, don't pussy out because your sore!