Tennis Sisters
Why is it that I am sore after playing tennis, but my sister is not?
Both my sister and I have not played tennis in a long time (maybe 6 months) and returned to play recently. Both of us felt fine after coming home. When I woke up the next morning, my whole body was sore and numb. I did some research and found that it was Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. I realized that this has happened numerous times when I went back to play tennis after long periods of time. I know the soreness will subside in several days, but I am curious to know why I am sore while my sister feels fine. I thought it might have to do with our physical build. I am 13 years old, 5′, and 108-110 pounds. My sister is 11, 4’11”, and 79-82 pounds.
I am also a junior tennis player who is often sore in the mornings while my sister, two years, younger is not. My coaches tell me it is most likely caused by growth. When you grow, your muscles stretch and become much more fragile to soreness and injury. If you have hit your growth spert already and your sister hasn’t, it is probably the reason.
I would suggest you stretch thoroughly before you play next time, look into a multivitamin if you are not already taking one, and drinking a lot of milk to reduce the chance of injury if in fact your body is “stretching”.
