What term describes muscle pain and stiffness 12-24 hours after unaccustomed exercise?

• A. Myofascial pain
• B. DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
• C. Acute muscle strain
• D. Tendinopathy

Answer: (B)

This describes delayed onset muscle soreness, the soreness and stiffness that show up after unfamiliar or intense exercise, especially with unaccustomed eccentric work, typically beginning around 12–24 hours and peaking later in the first couple of days. It stems from microtrauma to muscle fibers and the ensuing inflammatory processes, not from a specific injury. Myofascial pain involves tender points in fascia or muscle tissue rather than a generalized post-exercise soreness pattern. An acute muscle strain is a sudden injury with immediate sharp pain and functional impairment. Tendinopathy is tendon-related pain, usually tied to load over time and tends to localize to the tendon rather than present as delayed whole-muscle soreness. So the timing and presentation fit delayed onset muscle soreness best.