{"id":8948,"date":"2025-04-10T20:33:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T20:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/8948\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T20:33:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T20:33:12","slug":"why-older-people-feel-less-soreness-after-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/8948\/","title":{"rendered":"Why older people feel less soreness after exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"

We may associate growing older with becoming more frail and weak. After all, unexpected aches start popping up randomly (hello, back pain<\/a>) as a result of a desk-bound lifestyle, and a gradual decline in muscle<\/a> mass, also called sarcopenia, starts as early as our 30s. However, a new study suggests otherwise, finding that older adults experienced less muscle soreness (or DOMS<\/a>) after exercise<\/a> than younger athletes. <\/p>\n

The study<\/p>\n

Looking at over 36 studies, researchers tracked how ageing affected muscle function, soreness and damage after exercise. They called 18-25-year-olds ‘younger adults’ and \u2013 using a depressingly low threshold \u2013 ‘older adults’ those over 35.<\/p>\n

\"fit<\/a>The results<\/p>\n

Published in the Journal of Ageing and Physical Activity<\/a>, the team found muscle soreness was consistently lower in older adults, with reductions in pain of around 34% at 48 hours and 62% at 72 hours compared with younger adults. Older exercisers also did not show greater loss of muscle function. <\/p>\n

Creatine<\/a> kinase \u2013 an enzyme found in your brain and muscles, and which is a sign of muscle damage \u2013 was around 28% lower in older adults at 24 hours after working out. There was also no difference between upper-<\/a> or lower-body training, or between resistance<\/a> and endurance<\/a> training, on muscle damage. <\/p>\n

Researchers thought that these findings were due to muscle resilience staying relatively stable, despite the body’s changes with age. <\/p>\n

Related StoriesWhat does this mean for us?<\/p>\n

If you’re over 35, stay active and don’t slow down. In fact, older adults could even do more frequent or harder training sessions than younger people, since they don’t need longer recovery<\/a> periods or more intense strategies.<\/p>\n

Senior author Dr Lawrence Hayes from Lancaster Medical School said, ‘These findings challenge the widespread belief that ageing muscles recover more slowly or are more prone to exercise-induced damage. This misconception often discourages older adults from engaging in regular physical activity due to fears of prolonged soreness.’<\/p>\n

What type of exercise should I do?<\/p>\n

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, like cycling or a brisk walk<\/a>, and include two strength-training<\/a> sessions. <\/p>\n

Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the <\/strong>WOMEN’S HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n

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