Common cramp still mystifies some athletes
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
Ever been rendered immobile during an exercise because of a burning, stinging pain? If you're an endurance athlete or have practiced it in the past, you're probably no stranger to at least one of these throbbing sensations. What's interesting though is that everyone seems to have an opinion about how to fix the common cramp.We've all heard the solutions: it's water, or bananas with potassium, or perhaps stretching. How about massaging the muscle? Maybe vitamins? Who knows... scientists don't pretend to! In fact, a muscle researcher out of Columbia University freely admits that muscle cramping is still open for investigation.
He concedes that there are no definitive explanations about why cramps suddenly bite at the worst moments during athletic performance. The most popular theories point to dehydration and lack of electrolytes as being common causes. But different methods work better for different people. One medical professional says rubbing down the calf works best for his own treatment. Everyone seems to have an answer: How do you deal with a cramp?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steev 2-14-2008 @ 6:03PM
Follow the rub-down method too, although once it starts cramping, it invariably repeats itself after a while. Another option is to do some basic calf exercises to try and stretch that area. Good rule of thumb for prevention: drink lots of fluids during extended activities.
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Jentry 2-14-2008 @ 4:44PM
I've heard a bit of pickle juice before your activity solves a lot of problems. I've never tried it though.
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