Why do our bodies hurt after sports or other activities?

Question

I've come to realize that the more regular you do sports, the lesser you hurt in the morning. But why do muscles hurt afterward anyway? Do our muscles improve or are they just simply tired? Even with stretches they always seem to find a way to make tomorrow bloody painful.

Yes, I know you have to be used to it to lessen the pain, but what if you only get to do it once a week or something?

Answer 1

I'm no doctor, but it has to do with lactic acid build up in your muscles... also when you use muscles that aren't used to being worked, the muscle actually tears and then mends itself

Answer 2

Lactic acid :)

In response to a shortage of energy, which happens to muscles when you work them harder than they're ready for, the body produces lactic acid which can act as a quick catalyst to deliver more nutrients to the muscles and allow them to rise to the stress over a short period of time. Once the activity is over, the lactic acid remains in the muscle tissue, but ceases to deliver the increased energy, and has to be purged slowly causing pain and stiffness.
If you exercise more and regularly, the muscles will grow to meet the increased demand, so that over time they don't need the short-term fix of the energy boost that lactic acid provides. No build up of lactic acid, no muscle pain afterwards. :)

Answer 3

When muscles are overworked, they produce a substance called "lactic acid" which helps them continue to work overtime.

The following day, the lactic acid that remains in your muscles is what causes the pain.

When you work out regularly, your muscles get stronger and more used to the effort, and they do not feel the need to produce lactic acid, which is why you don't hurt after alot of effort if you work out every couple of days for each muscle group.

Answer 4

Great question. A gym teacher explained it to me once. He said that when you work out your muscles tear open in a sense and the soreness is them healing as a new stronger muscle. When you work out constantly this is not an issue because your muscles are used to it and don't need to repair as much.

Answer 5

When being worked out, a muscle tips and tears. This is the soreness. Also, it uses a lot of oxygen and therefore, when in debt of oxygen, it produces excess lactic acid. This is the burn. Protein helps go into the rips and tears and repairs it stronger and better than before, this is why working out builds us muscles.

Answer 6

When you work your muscles lactin forms onto your muscles. Lactin is basically toxins in our body. The more you workout the less toxins in your body. Also, if drink plenty of water you will lessen the pain for the next day. Water is essential for flushing out toxins. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Our bodies hurt due to the pulling and stretching of our muscles. The more often you exercise the less your muscles will have to stretch, because they are used to being active. so, if you cant exercise all week do stretches everyday to keep your muscles flexable.

Answer 8

lactic acid buildup in the muscle
as well as holes in the muscle fibers created from strenuous use--causes the pain
muscles rebuild after being used--to a stronger state than before --since your body wants you to be "able" to do the activity again--hence weightlifting provokes muscle growth

Answer 9

I don't know, but I'm rather fatigued today after having a hockey game last night from 10pm to 11:30...I haven't even had time to rest enough to BE sore yet.

Answer 10

If you don't use your muscles they tighten up and get short. When you use them they loosen and stretch. And that makes them hurt.