Help with Running Cramps

Running cramps, particularly running calf cramps, afflict everyone from the person going out for a morning jog, to elite athletes. And it's not just runners that get cramps they can be a factor in any sport - tennis, swimming, golf, cycling and triathlon. This site is dedicated to sharing ideas and information between sports people, athletes, health practitioners, anyone who enjoys training - for the best ways to prevent, avoid and treat muscle cramp.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Coming to terms with MS - Cramping Symptoms

Coming to terms with MS

One of the things we haven't yet covered in terms of illnesses associated with cramping is MS.

The woman in this story is an MS sufferer who had the disease under control until she suffered severe cramping and loss of the use of her right leg very close to the end of a marathon.

The numbness and muscle cramps have now spread to all four limbs despite weekly injections of immnue-modulating drugs designed to delay the progression of the disease.

While there's no known cure for MS, we do have an audio interview with one of our health prefessionals that we can send you.

For the interview, just send an email to info@global-longevity.com and in 'subject' box, write 'MS'.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Data finds players pressed to limit with new rules

Data finds players pressed to limit | The Courier-Mail

This is probably one of the most interesting articles we've read on professional sport because it incorporates actual on-the-field data - just like the information that a racing car's team get from a race car.

Australian Rules is a sport that's not played widely around the world - in fact it's mainly confined to Australia and Ireland.

In previous years, when fitness tests have been conducted between the different codes of football: rugby league, rugby union, football and 'Aussie' Rules - the Aussie Rules players always seem to measure up better in terms of aerobic fitness.

In this latest study it was revealed that players are running between 15 - 20 km per game - which is played over 2 hours - at close to their maximum speed.

Coaches began analysing their players because they started showing signs of severe fatigue and cramping as a result of a rule change which had larger defenders running more.

The information on running distance is now being used by coaches to modify their training techniques - including giving players more rest.

In The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide we include a chapter on training and specifically advise to train-to-task and simulate actual conditions as much as possible. The balance is in making sure you get enough rest as well as the appropriate training.

When cramping is due to a more serious condition

Benched, she still makes captain - The Boston Globe

An inspirational article - this young athlete suffered from cramps which turned out to be a genetic disorder - before her disorder was discovered though the same treatment that we recommend was used for her cramping - hydration, protein, energy drinks etc.

It does give you an idea of the kinds of symptoms to look out for if you're worried your muscle cramps might be an indicator of something more serious.

And of course, if you suspect such a thing, always check with your doctor. Good stretching, nutrition, hydration and all the other things we recommend will never do you any harm but if you think something else might be happening, do seek medical advice.

Survivors - Guatemala - collapsing from heat exhaustion and cramps

Health 24 - Diet, General

A really interesting article about Survivor Guatemala - and the effect of the heat on the contestants during their jungle trek into camp.

It is an extreme example of some of the causes of cramp - lack of preparation, lack of acclimatisation, lack of water, lack of electrolytes etc.

We work with Dr Adrian Cohen, the medical doctor for Survivor - in our Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide. In fact in this book we go into great detail on the subject of electrolytes, energy, preparation and nutrition for overall health in endurance events.

Lack of hill training - the cause of cramps?

Acker meets his match in Boston: "Cramp"

This athlete from the Cayman Islands hit the nail on the head when he says that a lack of hill training in his preparation was responsible for his cramps in a qualifying marathon for Boston - resulting in him missing the Boston qualifiying time by just 3 minutes.

In the Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide, we specifically discuss the importance of training for cramp prevention.

You can read all the details in the book but we recommend anyone training for an event that's both long and has a reasonable hill component, particularly towards the end of a race, should dedicate more of their training time to hillwork and spend time doing some calf-specific exercises in the gym including seated calf raises.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Cramps when it's cool?

Los Angeles Dodgers : News : Los Angeles Dodgers News

Yes - it is possible! When it's cool, you often don't realize how much you are sweating - as this baseball player finds out - he often cramps up when the conditions are cool as he doesn't take on board the same amount of fluids as when it's hot.

So even if it's a cold, windy day - do remember to take on fluids and hydrate correctly otherwise you can be caught out with cramps . . .

Cramps when it's cool?

Los Angeles Dodgers : News : Los Angeles Dodgers News

Yes - it is possible! When it's cool, you often don't realize how much you are sweating - as this baseball player finds out - he often cramps up when the conditions are cool as he doesn't take on board the same amount of fluids as when it's hot.

So even if it's a cold, windy day - do remember to take on fluids and hydrate correctly otherwise you can be caught out with cramps . . .

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Boston Marathon: A stiff challenge

TownOnline.com - Sports: Boston Marathon: A stiff challenge

You really have to admire the tenacity of people like Mike Lopez for running/walking 10 miles of a marathon with painful leg cramps in four places.

In The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide we included a large chapter on energy.

In this example it's clear that pushing yourself too early, along with inadequate energy stores, turned what woul have been a good time into a gritty ordeal.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Preparation is key for grueling events - even walking events

Preparation is key for grueling events -- Newsday.com

Even walkers suffer from cramps! This article is a perfect example of how to get cramps! No training, bad shoes, the wrong food, drinking fizzy drinks . . .

If you want a step by step guide as to how to avoid cramps and prepare your body for an event, read The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Cramps Ruin a winning performance

SuperCycling: "cramp"

There's one thing that keeps coming up - good athletic performances being undermined by cramps.

Just being fit and strong is not a defence against cramping - there's too much going on.

In The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide we take you through 11 different causes of cramp and show you 11 ways to treat them effectively and prevent them from ever occurring again.

As you'll see there's a whole range of things happening - you know nutrition, hydration, energy, flexibility etc - and the athlete that follows the advice stands the best chance of not squandering a winning position!

Teen Runner Set for Boston

UnionDemocrat.com - The Union Democrat Online

Great story of how lack of preparation can lead to cramps (!) as this 18 year old discovered.

In truth, there's much more to cramps than training preparation - in The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide 6 sports and health experts take you through the 11 different causes of cramp and outline exactly how you can treat them . . .

Beware of the Cross Country Run!

Sports Features Communications� - Sports Newsfeeds 24/7

The athletes quotes from this country run almost all mention suffering from cramps - in the latter part of the race or in the hilly sections.

One of the things we show you how to do in The Ultimate Cramp Busting Guide is train and prepare appropriately for your event.

Cross country events have their own unique challenges that are more likely to produce cramping if you're not prepared . . .

KC, Holmwood hold the key - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM

KC, Holmwood hold the key - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM: "cramp"

Running cramps aren't just for adults - kids suffer cramps too just like this article shows . . . another example how the right techniques and preparation can mean the difference between a good day of sport and sitting on the sidelines.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

The Side Stitch

The Side Stitch

If you suffer from side cramps or side 'stitches' then this is a great article - useful advice and steps to take in the event of a stitch and also to prevent a stitch.

There is another thing associated with stitches - people tend to get them more pre-season when they're not as fit.

So even though breathing techniques and avoiding jarring is important, conditioning will have a big role too.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The Lacrosse Forums - Running cramps

The Lacrosse Forums - Running cramps

Cramps are especially common in pre-season competition when players lack the conditioning they get from training & competing during the season.

You see it very often in ball players and in this case Lacrosse players. The advice for most people as suggested in this forum is to step up the training program before the pre-season matches, start getting into a regular pattern of hydrating.

It's a combination of lack of fitness, losing a lot of fluid, forgetting to take fluid, along with a lack of flexibility that contribute to cramps in the early part of the season.

Monday, April 03, 2006

Sports Features Communications� - Sports Newsfeeds 24/7

Sports Features Communications� - Sports Newsfeeds 24/7: "cramp"

If you're an amateur sportsperson and get cramps regularly, take comfort in the fact that seasoned athletes suffer cramps pretty often as well as this article shows!

Cramp pain is often overlooked as a significant factor in preparation for an event when in actual fact cramp pain can mean the difference between a good and bad result.

In training, it's important to simulate race conditions from time to time, practice hydrating, maintain flexibility (yoga routines are useful), and for long events, such as this cross country, work out a good nutrition strategy.

Our preference is sports drinks with a blend of carbohydrate, protein and mineral electrolytes and natural sugars (monosaccharides, polysaccharides & oligosaccharides).

After the event a recovery sports drink along with plenty of water and something as simple as a piece of fruit will start the process of replenishing and repairing muscles for the next event.


Our preferred sports drink is Rebound fx, you can take a look at it here