muscleWhat is this odd DOMS location after pull ups?
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I did a back session that included pull ups and chin ups; I usually find it real hard to get any DOMS after back sessions but I did a back workout the other day and woke the next morning with muscle soreness around the front of the armpit area, i.e. the side of the chest muscles / upper ribs (along with the lats and biceps of course). I am wondering if it is conceivable that a smaller muscle under pec major like pec minor or subscapularis is involved in the pulling movement of pull ups?
I know that the pec muscles are involved in pushing movements, but the actual movement of the humerus is to adduct it with pushing movements, the same action that happens with pull ups - the humerus adducts half way through the movement. So basically do pull ups actually challenge any muscles in and around the armpit and side chest area to at least a small degree? And if so which ones? Either way, I'm definitely feeling muscle soreness there, and I'm just confused which muscles in particular are aching.
I know that the pec muscles are involved in pushing movements, but the actual movement of the humerus is to adduct it with pushing movements, the same action that happens with pull ups - the humerus adducts half way through the movement. So basically do pull ups actually challenge any muscles in and around the armpit and side chest area to at least a small degree? And if so which ones? Either way, I'm definitely feeling muscle soreness there, and I'm just confused which muscles in particular are aching.
By Craig Goodchild
Personal Trainer
Personal Trainer
almost 2 years ago
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As you do a chin or pull up, your positioning is controlled by your rotators. For example, if you decide to do a "behind your head" version, you are asking your external rotators to fire leading more with your emphasizing your supraspinatus and then your teres minor. You are hitting your subscap if you decide that you want to swing outward when you pull up(watch this when someone does a pull up into a dip). The soreness in the armpit can be that muscle (inserts on humerous). However, a palpation by a massage therapist, doc, pt can tell you. I would guess that it's not the pec minor. However, muscles sometimes not involved with the movement can fire especially when it's new. For example, why flex the face when you curl?
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Hmmm!
You have few choices here and I would agree with Michael and say subscapularis, but we shouldn't rule out the serratus anterior muscle. Without seeing your exact technique, and just based on the anatomical location you have described, that's where I will put my money.
Health and Fitness Doctor
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