

At this point, there doesn't seem to be a real consensus as to the cause of cramps. Part of the reason for this is that they have been unable to successfully reproduce sports-type muscle cramps in a lab setting in order to come up with a controlled study. Historically, though, they have been linked to dehydration and electrolyte depletion. Sodium, potassium, and calcium depletion are also blamed. Muscle fatigue and overuse seem associated.
For my part, I try and stretch all the important muscles before I get involved in a physical activity and I do my best to stay hydrated and every once in awhile I stretch after exercise. Cramps can occur after prolonged periods of being in the same position and I'm thinking this may have been what happened the other night. I guess I just need to get up and moving around on a more regular basis. This is not bad advice for anyone, really, athlete or not. The worst case of muscle cramping I ever personally experienced was one time after playing goal in ball hockey, sweating off about four pounds, coming home, grabbing some pop and then lying on the floor in front of the T.V. for about an hour and a half. At the end of that, I attempted to get up off the floor and suffered cramps in both calves and the front of both thighs. Thought death was imminent, actually. After probably ten minutes they fully subsided and I was able to at least get up off the floor, at last. Since then, I've tried religiously not to be too sedentary right after heavy physical exertion.
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What my leg felt like the other night |
Healthy running, everyone!
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