Acute muscle soreness
Acute muscle soreness (AMS) is a term to describe
muscle soreness felt during the muscle's use or shortly after its use (generally no longer than an hour after its use). It is different from
delayed onset muscle soreness in that it goes away quickly, whereas delayed onset muscle soreness sometimes lasts up to 72 hours.
It was once thought, and still is thought by the general public, that AMS is caused by increases in
lactic acid due to exercise. However, it is now said to be caused by
ATP-derived
hydrogen ions. More technically, the ATP-derived hydrogen ions cause a decrease in
pH and
acidosis in the muscles and this acidosis in the muscles is what causes the soreness to be perceived.
AMS generally goes away quickly, hence the term acute. To speed recovery would be to of course stop the exercise causing it. However, because the soreness can last even after exercise for a bit, there are other ways to quicken recovery. The recovery is achieved by the removal of the ATP-derived hydrogen ions and so techniques to speed up this removal can help. This includes light
aerobic exercise,
stretching, and massaging.
Though AMS is now believed to be caused by ATP derived hydrogen ions they may not be solely responsible, just largely responsible. For instance, if other substances can drop the pH and increase acidosis in the muscles, then theoretically they can also contribute to AMS.
