Tightness in elbows
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Member
357 days
xc800runner posted 8 weeks ago.
This if from working the bicep. When lifting, you put stress on both the muscles and tendons, effectively strengthening both. At the bottom of your extension, when you have lowered the weight and your elbow is fully straight, the muscles and tendons are stretched beyond what they normally experience and have a greater force acting on them, so it will cause additional strain. As a counteraction to the stretching, your tendons will tighten up to prevent further damage. Over time, your system becomes accustomed to the motion and will take less time to repair. This is common and stretching will help. Stand perpendicular to a wall with your arm outstretched behind you, palm into the wall and slowly rotate your back towards the wall. this will force your arm to straighten and stretch out your bicep, forearms and associated tendons.
So, I started my off-season strength training regimen Wednesday...it's 30 minute free weight circuits targeting specific muscle groups each day, although I doubt this has an effect. Anyways...
Wednesday the target was shoulders, bis, and tris. I haven't lifted since March, but by the night after lifting my elbow area is very tight and it's hard to straighten my arms all the way (or at least feels that way). This stays with me for a couple days and is kind of annoying. I've had this before, and it follows the same path as muscle soreness, fading after a couple days.
My question is, is this at all common?...it's not muscle soreness as far as I can tell, more ligament or tendon soreness. Also, it usually becomes less common/goes away as I get consistent with my lifting routine (like muscle soreness).
I tried to search it, but couldn't find much, so any help would be appreciated.