hi

just this week i went back to karate after about 3 weeks of not training. I did proper warm ups and a warm down although this following week i havent been able to participate in lessons as all my muscles are to painful mostly my legs. I think it was proberably because of jumping bach into a harsh training routine after not stretching for 3 weeks. I normally a flexible person who finds stretches like the side splits no problem, but at the moment i cant go past my knee height when trying to touch my toes.

This has happened to me once before in the past that i can remeber of.

Has anyone else experienced this, if so how often and why.

Also is there anything i can do to help my muscles get back to norm quicker. eg light stretching or oils etc.

Hey,
How you doing?Sounds to me like you have run into what is known as DOMS(Delayed onset muscle soreness).This is generally caused by to much exercise after a layoff.You should always start out lightly after a layoff and from what you said,you more than likely over did it.I know what it is like,you've been off for awhile and really want to get back into it,but then we all have to pay the price.You can use a variety of ointmants to help out with the muscle soreness,like ben-gay,icy-hot or one of those types of rubs and make sure to keep your muscles warm after your workouts.
Your Brother in the Arts

thanx Brewer, i will keep an eye open for that ointmant

Hi, I have found that if I use ointments like Brewer describes before and after workouts (especially stretching) it really helps prevent soreness the next day.There is a popular one in Canada called Deep Ice (my chiropractor uses it ) but I have found a no name one at Walmart with the same medicinal ingredients for half the price. But there are lots of different ones out there.

Hey Martinnitram,
Check this out,get a jar of vaseline and about two tablespoons of Vicks vapor rub and melt them down (if you want it real vapory add more vicks)Mix them together and add some
cayenne pepper(this will add heat as well as color to your home made linament)If you want it hotter add a little more pepper.I would make a little to try and then adjust from there.Make up enough for just one rub down and make sure to keep track of the ingredients and then you know if you want to add more vicks or more Cayenne(red pepper).
Let me know how it works out.
Your Brother in the Arts