National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Achieve Certification Success!

Inadequate movement preparation before a workout can lead to increased muscle soreness. This is primarily because proper warm-up and movement preparation activate muscles and enhance blood flow, which helps to prepare the body for more intense activity. When adequate preparation is skipped, the muscles may not be sufficiently warmed up, which can result in a greater likelihood of soreness following the activity.

When muscles are not properly prepped, they can become strained more easily during the workout, leading to micro-tears that contribute to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Additionally, without proper movement preparation, the body may not be able to perform the exercises correctly, increasing the risk of damaging muscles and connective tissues.

Improved flexibility and enhanced performance often result from effective movement preparation, while proper warm-ups can significantly decrease the risk of injury. Therefore, the lack of adequate movement preparation tends to favor the onset of increased muscle soreness instead of the other beneficial outcomes associated with an effective warm-up routine.