THE SURPRISING SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR SHAKY MUSCLES
2. Am I doing a new exercise? If you’ve never done a jump squat or bench pressed 200 pounds, you’ll probably feel shaky the first time you try a full set. That’s because your body is adjusting to the new motions at a cellular level. Simply put, when you start a workout, your muscle fibers tell your muscle cells whether to contract or relax — and those fibers can get tired of doing their job. When one fiber becomes fatigued, your body adjusts to rely on another. Trying something new (essentially, asking your fibers to give new directions) can confuse your body and delay the tradeoff, making your muscles shake. 3. Am I pushing myself harder than I ever have before? When
Imagine you’re running through a basic exercise routine. You feel good, so you push yourself harder than usual — and your muscles suddenly start shaking! Every athlete has experienced that moment of panic when tremors hit. But have you ever wondered why your muscles shake? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Shaking muscles can mean at least three things: You’re underprepared for your workout, pushing yourself too hard, or breaking new ground and building muscle! To figure out which option explains your scenario, ask yourself these questions: 1. Did I drink plenty of water today and get at least seven hours of sleep last night? If not, your muscles could be shaky because of dehydration or fatigue.
you amp up the intensity of your workout, your body will often do more muscle fiber “tradeoffs” than usual because you’re demanding more output. When too many tradeoffs happen at once, that can make your muscles shake. Muscle tremors aren’t always a bad sign. If you’re trying a new exercise or pushing for improvement, they’re part of the learning process! However, if you’re struggling with exhaustion or dehydration, or you think you’re overworking yourself, shaking can be a red flag. Consider reducing the intensity of your workout or taking a rest day. When in doubt, discuss the issue with a physical therapist, especially if you’re recovering from an injury.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS Getting Confidence Back
“I feel stronger now and am able to walk a mile without pain. When I started, the pain in my lower left back was preventing me from sleeping, even with ice and pain meds. Now, I can sleep without pain meds and ice. Emilie challenged
“After attending a seminar on shoulder pain, I started a physical therapy program with Mandie. In approximately three months’ time, I went from extremely
limited motion and very intense pain to practically full motion and very little to no pain. Now only time will tell, but I feel relieved that I was able to avoid surgery or other intensive alternatives. Mandie was very informative and was able to explain what I was going through. Thank you!” –Robert Taylor
me with exercises I have never done before and were hard to do. I feel stronger now and am able to walk a mile without pain. Thank you, Emilie, for pushing me (not hard, though). You were a pleasure to work with.” –Sue Markowski
2 | 847-515-8970
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator