Killer leg cramps hours after a ride

On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 13:25:07 GMT, "Peter Cole"
wrote:


"Dan Daniel" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 03:40:26 GMT, MisNomer wrote:

shortage of potasium.... eat a banana.

Yep- bananas.

Potassium has not been shown to help prevent cramps. It's a pretty good bike
food, except that it schmooshes easily and upsets some stomachs.

AFAIK, potassium hasn't been shown NOT to prevent cramps, either. For
that matter, I'm not sure scientific studies have shown anything to
prevent cramps. My guess is that there are so many underlying causes
of cramps, no scientific study can find any one treatment to prevent
them all.

However, fluids, salt (NaCl), and potassium help me, and apparently
quite a few others. An individual might try a scientific study on
themselves to see if it helps them, too!

Pat

In article ,
"Pat" writes:
x-no-archive:yes


Cramps are a result of over-exertion. Significant dehydration may make
them
somewhat more likely. The best preventative is to back off the intensity a
little, and/or train more. After cramps strike, stretching and massage are
about the only remedies.

Funny, but I get cramps in the arches of my feet when I push off from the
wall wrong in swimming. I can bring my toes up toward my knee and after
awhile, it goes away. Sometimes, the only way to get these cramps out is to
push off forcefully from the other end of the pool!

So, for me, your above paragraph has not proven to be correct.

I've learned to use bio-feedback to un-do my cramps.

It really works. I sincerely mean that. Cramps /can/ be
willed to ease up and go away.

I'm also almost willing to bet dollars to donut holes
that folks who get cramps are sleep-deprived.

A whole lot of cellular repair work goes on during sleep.
When there's not enough sleep, that repair work has to
continue on the fly. Cramps ensue. I've empirically
learned this the hard way. So believe me, or not. I
don't care.

But all bananas do is give you fibre, and the runs if
ya eat too many of 'em. Sleep is the key. Get a good,
relaxing 40 winks.


cheers,
Tom

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"Patrick Lamb" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 13:25:07 GMT, "Peter Cole"
wrote:


"Dan Daniel" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 03:40:26 GMT, MisNomer wrote:

shortage of potasium.... eat a banana.

Yep- bananas.

Potassium has not been shown to help prevent cramps. It's a pretty good
bike
food, except that it schmooshes easily and upsets some stomachs.

AFAIK, potassium hasn't been shown NOT to prevent cramps, either.

Probably neither has fudge.

For that matter, I'm not sure scientific studies have shown anything to
prevent cramps. My guess is that there are so many underlying causes
of cramps, no scientific study can find any one treatment to prevent
them all.

http://www.methodistsports.com/injured.asp?A=99

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/...schwellnus.htm

On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 12:32:49 GMT, "Peter Cole"
wrote:

"Patrick Lamb" wrote in message
.. .
Potassium has not been shown to help prevent cramps. It's a pretty good
bike
food, except that it schmooshes easily and upsets some stomachs.

AFAIK, potassium hasn't been shown NOT to prevent cramps, either.

Probably neither has fudge.

Now that's a shame!

For that matter, I'm not sure scientific studies have shown anything to
prevent cramps. My guess is that there are so many underlying causes
of cramps, no scientific study can find any one treatment to prevent
them all.

http://www.methodistsports.com/injured.asp?A=99

(Paraphrasing the summary) Try one or all of these seven suggestions,
they just might help.

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/...schwellnus.htm

"The etiology of EAMC is not well understood, but recent studies
indicate that it is related to muscle fatigue from exhaustive
exercise."

Sounds like Q.E.D. to me!

Pat

In response to leg cramps--I have used the quinine in tonic water to dispel
these cramps. sometimes a glass or two before the ride, sometimes in my
"bottle-on-bke" during the ride, and sometimes just afer the ride. It all
depends on the weather and length of the ride. I am near 80 and have been
doing this for the last 20 years. All has been well.