Exercise Information

Calf Cramps - How To Get More Gain For Less Pain!


I cannot imagine that there is anyone past the age of about 10, that has never had calf cramps. Let's face it, they are horrible. From having no pain and full movement to excruciating agony in a matter of seconds. I think that you can relate to that. If you are into sports though, calf cramps are far more common, and can stop you in your tracks. So what are calf cramps exactly? Anyone competing in sports know that they usually occur after strenuous exercise. But what about those poor folk who wake up with cramps for no discernable reason. So, how do they occur?

How Calf Cramps Can Occur
=========================

Although not an exhaustive list by any means, here are some common causes of calf cramps

? Dehydration: If you are involved in any sports, especially if you are serious about it, you should always ensure that you maintain your fluid levels. As you get hot, your body sweats, and you lose fluid. If these fluids are not replaced, there is a danger of dehydration, and dehydration can accelerate the onset of calf cramps.

? Over tiredness: If you exercise longer or harder than you are used to, there is a danger of calf cramps. Sometimes, in competitive situations, this can be difficult to avoid, but in training, you should increase demands on your body slowly, so that it can get used to it. That is the purpose of training after all. If you train to peak fitness in competition, the likelihood of calf cramps or any injury for that matter, is reduced.

? Vitamin deficiencies: There is speculation that that athletes who get calf cramps could suffer from low levels of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

? Poor warm up: It is vital that you warm your body up carefully before any exercise. If you don't stretch your calves properly for example, they continually stay contracted and are thus more susceptible to cramps.

? Poor circulation: I can attest to this myself. When I was young, I played a lot of soccer, and used shin guards to protect the front of my legs. To keep the shin guards in place, I used ties to hold my socks up. More than once, during a strenuous game, my calves tightened up and cramped. The cause, I am sure, was poor circulation as a result of tight sock ties.

Some of these causes will have obvious remedies for example. I shouldn't have tied up my socks so tight for example! If cramps occur during exercise, then stretching the calf whilst massaging can alleviate the pain, and stop the muscle from tightening. However, there are other things that you can do which might stop the problem occurring.

? Stretch your muscles before exercise as part of a regular warm up routine. Try and warm down after exercise as well.

? Ensure that you stay properly hydrated during exercise and drink plenty of water

The article was written by Charlie Cory, who is the owner of Home Fitness Online, a website dedicated to providing advice about attaining higher levels of fitness from the comfort of your own home.

You can visit his website about calf cramps.


MORE RESOURCES:

That Happened!

Almost Two-Thirds of Americans Meet Exercise Guidelines
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 12 hours ago
In addition, muscle-strengthening exercises are recommended at least twice a week. The 2010 guidelines call for adults to do at least 30 minutes of ...
Many Americans miss exercise goals Reuters
Most Americans don't exercise enough WFIE-TV
CDC: Most meeting exercise guidelines United Press International
That Happened! - MedPage Today
all 25 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

'War on terror' -- an exercise in folly
Los Angeles Times, CA - Dec 3, 2008
Mumbai serves as a reminder that fanatics committed to violence have been with us for millenniums. » Discuss Article The Mumbai metropolitan area is home to ...
Obliterating Regional Peace Alarab online
Tourists flee ‘Incredible India’ The Statesman
No blame game please The Post
Pakistan Observer - Express Buzz
all 2,993 news articles


Javno.hr

PLA troops are here for Sino-Indian exercises
Hindu, India - 11 hours ago
NEW DELHI: A 137-member team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) landed in Pune for the first-ever Sino-Indian joint army exercises on Indian soil ...
India, China to hold joint exercise Times of India
China and India to hold joint anti-terror exercise Reuters India
Military exercise with India not aimed at third parties: China Press Trust of India
Sify - CCTV
all 58 news articles


Should I eat before or after exercise?
Kansas City Star, MO - 20 hours ago
A: Deciding when the best time to eat with exercise is a difficult question. The answer depends upon many factors including what type of exercise is ...


guardian.co.uk

Rice hints at Al Qaeda involvement: India determined to act ...
Pakistan Dawn, Pakistan - Dec 3, 2008
But she also urged India to exercise restraint. “Any response needs to be judged by its effectiveness in prevention and also by not creating other ...
Video: Rice in Pakistan to Push Terror Probe AssociatedPress
Provide unequivocal help to India, Rice tells Pakistan Hindu
Indian airports on alert, warnings of airborne attacks: officials Deutsche Welle
Express Buzz - Prensa Latina
all 4,118 news articles


Exercise of employee share options in Opera Software ASA
TMCnet - 2 hours ago
Following the exercise, 66.572 shares will be transferred from Opera Software?s holding of own shares. Subsequent to the transaction Opera Software ASA ...


WIT Exercise Class Keeps Seniors in Shape
KPTH, IA - 10 hours ago
Keeping Siouxland's 50 and older crowd active, one exercise move at a time. The class meets year round and is part of Western Iowa Tech's Lifelong Learning ...


The Southern Ledger

Russia, Venezuela end naval exercise Evangelist Alamo faces new ...
2TheAdvocate, LA - Dec 3, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela Russian warships have ended training exercises with Venezuela s navy in Moscow s first such Caribbean deployment since the Cold War. ...
Russia, Venezuela to Exercise in the Caribbean Sea Kommersant
Russia, Venezuela conduct joint naval drills in Caribbean RIA Novosti
Russia, Venezuela Wrap Up Joint Naval Exercises EasyBourse.com
Newsday - Voice of America
all 316 news articles


Best Syndication

Anti-Aging Tips: Top Exercises To Do
Best Syndication, CA - 9 hours ago
Exercise is an essential part of aging well. Yes, I know you will have heard this before, but it’s still true – most of us don’t exercise as much as we ...
Anti Aging Skin Care: The Top Tips That Work Best Syndication
all 2 news articles


FOCUS ON/Dec. 5: North Texas commute to work an exercise in anger
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 1 hour ago
I got up Wednesday at 5:20 am, staggered to the kitchen, made coffee, fed the birds and the squirrels, turned on the one-eyed monster, and waited for the ...

Exercise - Google News

home | site map
© 2006