Got (leg) Cramps?
Leg Cramps:  Prevention–Explore causes
Cramps are involuntary, painful and sustained muscle contractions. Camps that occur during exercise are similar to cramps that plague older people during sleep, but the circumstances in which they happen are quite different.
The cause of exercise-induced muscle cramps has not been determined. Dehydration is thought to be a factor. So is electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are things like sodium, potassium and bicarbonate. Some believe that calcium or magnesium deficiencies are involved.
A temporary reduction of blood flow to the cramping muscle is another explanation. Fatigue with depletion of the muscle’s glycogen is another theory. Glycogen is stored muscle sugar. A shotgun approach to prevention is the only way to find out what works for you. Stay hydrated. That means drink before and during play, even if you are not thirsty. Some, but not all, of the fluid can be from a sports drink. Sports drinks supply potassium, sodium and other minerals.
Treatment of a cramp is always intuitive. For a calf cramp, sit or lie down and extend the cramped leg. Stretch the calf muscles by pulling the front of the foot toward the shins. Massaging the cramped muscle relieves the spasm.
Before playing, stretch the leg muscles, especially the calf muscles. Stand on a curb or step with your heels projecting off the step. Rise as high as possible on your toes, then lower the heels below the level of the step as far as you can. Repeat the exercise 10 to 20 times.
Tags: leg pain
Rochester, NY