Conquering exercise associated muscle cramping

Good news readers: I have recently started writing for the Waterloo Running Series blog with a regular column: The Science of Training and Performance.  The column will look at what the latest research is showing you can do to make yourself a better athlete.  There is a lot of misinformation out there, and hopefully this will act as a good, evidence based, honest information source.  If you have any requests for the column, do not hesitate to contact me:

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@DrSeanDelanghe

CONQUERING EXERCISE ASSOCIATED MUSCLE CRAMPING

Well my running friends, the fall racing season has come and gone. Congratulations on your season of hard work and dedication! Now it is time to recover, start planning the 2014 schedule, and initiate some good-old base training.

If you did not reach your target time in 2013, one of the reasons may have been related to a strong muscle spasm that just would not let up; something we like to call ‘exercise associated muscle cramping’ (EAMC). EAMC is a frustrating and ridiculously painful experience. They are frustrating because often athletes feel as though they got cheated out of a good result. These spasms can happen without being at the limit of your cardiovascular fitness- the energy and desire to compete can be there but the legs just won’t respond. Why does this happen?

The Cause

So what causes these spasms, and how do we get rid of them? Often it is assumed that it is a result of an electrolyte/hydration issue. Is this true?

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