Every restart puts the body back in front of efforts it had half-forgotten during the break. It's a phenomenon that still catches people out every year, including experienced athletes who thought they were past it after several seasons in the same sport.
Why experience isn't enough
A muscle used to an effort stays that way as long as the effort stays regular — but just a few weeks off is enough to lose part of that adaptation. It's not a drop in level or a real physical regression: the body simply hasn't maintained the tolerance specific to that type of effort during the break, even in an experienced athlete.
What comes back nearly identical every year
The areas that suffer most at restart are generally the same from one year to the next for a given athlete — the ones most specifically worked by their sport, and the least worked during the break. A footballer often finds the same discomfort in calves and ankles, a tennis player in forearms and shoulders: the restart isn't random, it follows a recognizable pattern.
Anticipating rather than enduring
Knowing this pattern makes it possible to act before it repeats: starting a release routine from the very first restart sessions, without waiting for soreness to set in, often limits its intensity. The foam roller, used from week one rather than once discomfort is already well established, remains one of the simplest habits to build in at this time of year.
Frequently asked questions
Can restart soreness be avoided entirely?
Rarely entirely, but a progressive restart and a recovery routine from the first sessions clearly reduce its intensity and duration.
Should you worry if the same pain comes back every year?
Not in itself if it stays moderate and fades within a few days — that's a normal restart pattern. Pain that worsens year over year, however, deserves a professional opinion.
See the foam massage roller, to use from week one of a restart →