Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Part I: Pathogenesis and Diagnostics.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic hypotheses and clinical concepts without systematic review methodology.
PubMed 30537791 · doi:10.1055/a-0753-1884
What was done
This narrative review summarizes current scientific literature regarding the damaging mechanisms, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic evaluation of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
What was found
The abstract presents no quantitative experimental data. It outlines that DOMS is initiated by eccentric or unfamiliar exercise leading to ultrastructural muscle cell disruption, protein degradation, apoptosis, and local inflammatory responses, resulting in functional deficits (reduced force production, stiffness, swelling, painful movement restriction) that characteristically peak 48 to 72 hours after exertion.
Why it matters
Provides a comprehensive pathophysiological overview of one of the most frequent causes of transiently impaired athletic performance to guide clinical recognition and diagnostic evaluation.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search methodology, predefined inclusion criteria, risk-of-bias assessment, and quantitative synthesis. The abstract reports no primary clinical or experimental data.
Cited by
- supports Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) results in decreased muscle force production.