Muscle stiffness and pain

[FlyChicaga 21]

For the past two months I've been playing hockey two to three times a week (sometimes four) while also trying to work out a bit in between. I've noticed that I've been feeling pretty stiff lately, and my joints at my right elbow, right wrist, and a bit left arm are hurting. They just feel really stiff, and hurt a bit. Like pain when I'm not moving it, just sitting I'll get these dull pains in my joints. Is this just normal stiffness and wear and tear? Anyone else get this feeling after some tough games? Today my back and neck feel a little stiff too, only because I played hockey twice and worked out upper body in between. Probably over-did it a bit yesterday, but the second hockey session was just some minor stick and puck, nothing to exciting.

I should also point out that before I picked hockey back up after 10 years off, I wasn't doing much in terms of exercise. Now, I'm playing ice hockey, rollerblading, working out in the gym, biking, etc. to try and gain body mass, muscle tone, and be better conditioned. I think my body needs to get used to all this exercise after having nothing really at all for so many years...

[j8Zt8r 0]

It sounds to me like you are an adult now. I play in a mens league and usually have a little back stiffness the day after a game. As I started playing more and got in better shape it got better but, it still happens.

[hapamatt122 0]

It sounds to me like you are an adult now.

yes.. well said.. I hurt my knee 2 weeks ago (ended up not being serious but bad enough for me to go get it checked out), and its still a bit stiff and sore, I played on it last night and it seemed ok but not like it was prior to the injury.. as we get older things don't heel as quick.. and I'm only 26

[j8Zt8r 0]

yes.. well said.. I hurt my knee 2 weeks ago (ended up not being serious but bad enough for me to go get it checked out), and its still a bit stiff and sore, I played on it last night and it seemed ok but not like it was prior to the injury.. as we get older things don't heel as quick.. and I'm only 26

Just be sure to not dislocate your shoulder and mess up your rotator cup after 30. It would still get sore after a year. Damn I felt old for the first time with that 1. It would get a little stiff if I slept on it weird. I talked to a friend who was a physical therapist who gave me a great excercise for it and it did wonders.

[chk hrd 164]

It's a bitch getting old....I'm 41 and things definitely don't heal up as fast as they used to. It's not a bad idea to give yourself sometime to heal up afterwards Do excersises that maximize your flexibility and range of motion, it helps too.

With age come body deterioration, joints ache, muscles hurt (even the ones you didn't realize you have). I play once a week and pop advil before each game (my pre-emptive strike for pain...lol). I skate probably 2-3 time a week also so I'm at least somewhat fit. The joint pain you are feeling could be a slight case of tendonitis from over exertion (like tennis or golfers elbow). You might need to rest it for a little bit. Lots of iccing (no heat).

[FlyChicaga 21]

Yeah, I'm an adult... a 24-yr old adult, so I shouldn't have arthritis already! :lol: I think it's probably like described above... tennis elbow of sorts. I think my wrist is simply the result of so many slappers and wrist shots, not to mention solid passes and stickhandling. Just never felt so stiff before.

[sonsplayhockey 0]

boy I wish there was a magic formula for body aches at 40. It takes me 2-3 days to recover from a game. Barely enough time to run or work on my strength the rest of the week. I'm in the best shape I've been in about 8 years but I'm soar 5 out of 7 days ;)

Hot baths or the Spa helps me the morning/day after (never right after a game) when I can.

[BGM 0]

Not sure what would be causing you stifness and pain in the upper body but as far as your legs being sore the next morning try taking the supplement L-glutamine. Here is a little background: "L-Glutamine is known as a non-essential amino acid because it is manufactured within the body. When you are experiencing extreme stress like having completed an intense workout, however, your body may not be able to synthesize enough L-Glutamine to keep up with the increased demand. Supplementation then by definition, becomes essential. "

Take 5 gms in the morning and right after you play and/or at night. I just put it in with a little Gatorade. If you look at any recovery drink, L-glutamine is usually listed. It's something your body produces already. Also, try stretching when you get home after playing--that will help reduce lactic acid in your muscles.

[sonsplayhockey 0]

I've been using the amino-1800 I think it has the L-Clutamine in it.

Any of you 40+ folks care to answer this question?

I've been playing about 1 game a week, then trying to do some sort of exercise inbetween. I still take about 3 days to lose the soarness. I'm thinking of running more starting 1-2 days after a game in hopes my body will adjust and get used to it. Maybe more workout instead of waiting till I"m 100% will benifit?

[hockechamp14 0]

Do you stretch and cool down after your workouts? For that matter, do you warm up either. It's those sort of things that are hard on your joints.

Just take good care of yourself in your diet (omega 3's are important for inflammation, so take fish oil if you aren't getting them), in your training, and get sleep, if you still have problems you'll be able to better asses them after doing all of that.

[hapamatt122 0]

yes make sure you stretch

[sonsplayhockey 0]

Yea, I do a complete stretch when I get home. Mostly because of my back.

My post game usually consists of re-hydrating, sandwich, and GNC Amino 1800.

I could stand to do better with the pre game warm ups though.

Right now pre game I eat at least 2hrs in advance (heavy in carbs), take Vitamin C and the GNC Amino 1800. I"ve noticed if I don't, I tire much easier.

[ktang 34]

I'm almost in the 40s club, and I run stairs and stretch to flush the lactic acid out of my thighs and butt after games. 12-ounce curls to flush the lactic acid out of my arms and upper body.

[srv2miker 0]

It depends on the "pain" you're talking about. If you're having pains in the actual joints, that could be a bad thing, eg if your elbows hurt really bad after playing. If the problems persist, anti-inflammitories might be in order. If its just general sore muscles, then welcome to geriatric-ville good buddy, your walker is over there. :D

[sharks_bazooka_joe_19 0]

I'm in the "over 40" club too and when I was playing twice a week, drinking only water during games I was a wreck for the next couple days. And I was trying to work out at the gym in between to gain strength, balance and stamina. I first started making sure I drank Gatorade during the games, which helped some.

Now I'm playing 5 days a week (lucky me!) and doing great after discovering (warning: product plug) "Enurox R4" recovery drink at GNC. This past Monday I played stick & puck for 2 hours , drank the recovery drink and was back on the ice 1 1/2 hours later for a 2 hour drop-in game with one sub a side. I drank another batch after the game. My quads had pretty much given up on me by the time I got home, but the next day I felt fine. (I still drink about 20 oz of Gatorade a session). I will definately be taking the stuff with me to hockey camp this summer!

Oh, stretching before and after really seems to make a difference. I find it hard to get enough time to stretch at the rink before the games so I usually do a long stretch before I leave for the rink. I don't always stretch after the game (tho I should).

[jjtt99 0]

I think Sharks Bazooka means "Endurox R4".

I've never tried it, but here is their website.

http://69.94.64.50/enduroxr4.com/

[sharks_bazooka_joe_19 0]

I think Sharks Bazooka means "Endurox R4".

I've never tried it, but here is their website.

http://69.94.64.50/enduroxr4.com/

You're right - thanks for catching the typo

[BGM 0]

Endurox is effective but tastes horrible from my experience. That's why I do L-glutamine (which is part of what is in Endurox) because it's a tasteless powder that you can put in Gatorade.