How does muscle breakdown contribute to fatigue?

How does muscle breakdown contribute to fatigue?

• A. Increases risk of dehydration
• B. Causes increased speed
• C. Causes delayed onset muscle soreness
• D. Improves endurance

Answer: (C)

When muscles experience breakdown from intense or unfamiliar exercise, tiny tears occur in the muscle fibers. The body responds with an inflammatory repair process in the damaged areas, leading to swelling and increased sensitivity of the nerves. This inflammatory response produces pain and stiffness that typically appears after a delay, known as delayed onset muscle soreness. That soreness and the temporary reduction in muscle function make it harder to use the same muscles next time, contributing to fatigue after the workout. The other options don’t fit because dehydration isn’t a direct result of muscle breakdown, breakdown doesn’t cause speed to increase, and it doesn’t improve endurance—in fact, it tends to hinder performance until recovery.

When muscles experience breakdown from intense or unfamiliar exercise, tiny tears occur in the muscle fibers. The body responds with an inflammatory repair process in the damaged areas, leading to swelling and increased sensitivity of the nerves. This inflammatory response produces pain and stiffness that typically appears after a delay, known as delayed onset muscle soreness. That soreness and the temporary reduction in muscle function make it harder to use the same muscles next time, contributing to fatigue after the workout. The other options don’t fit because dehydration isn’t a direct result of muscle breakdown, breakdown doesn’t cause speed to increase, and it doesn’t improve endurance—in fact, it tends to hinder performance until recovery.