What is DOMS, and how do we deal with it?

Last year’s lockdowns saw gyms shut and us in our homes, couch- or desk-bound. Most of us who have not touched a dumb-bell or run a few kilometres for months are getting back into the swing of things only now. But when the body is unaccustomed to working out, this can cause a ‘delayed onset of muscle soreness’ better known as DOMS, also dubbed ‘muscle fever.’ DOMS leaves muscles feeling tender to the touch, the person affected having a reduced range of motion due to pain and stiffness when moving, and even short-term loss of muscle strength. Just think of that scene in Bridget Jones’ Diary where she falls off the elliptical.