It's time to pour yourself some pickle juice and suck on a salt tab (or is it?) as we talk exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) - one of the most complex, and common, afflictions facing athletes. Difficult to research and predict, the causes of EAMC's can be varied depending on the individual, as are the solutions to fix them. In this episode, Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch break down the most common theories around causes and then discuss the best long-term, medium-term and immediate solutions (yes, there are some!) to preventing this painful condition.DiscourseJoin Discourse now, and become part of the growing community whose stories and testimonies inspired much of the content of this (and other) podcast! You do so by making a small donation here on Patreon, and then the world of sports science insight and opinion will be yours!SHOW NOTESThe cramping thread on Discourse - members onlyAn Evidence-Based Review of the Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Exercise-Associated Muscle CrampsSimilar review on crampsStudy showing how pickle juice works fast in low doses, via a neural reflexRon Maughan paper on muscle cramps, contrasting the hydration model with the neural theoryPeople who cramp have similar sodium and other electrolyte levels to those who don’t crampIf you drink more, your sodium levels drop, even if you drink an electrolyte containing drinkA paper that compares the two leading hypotheses for cramps: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related