Cramp question

[Gombessa]

I seem to cramp up no matter what. I've tried bananas, stretching, hydration starting the day prior to the dive...nothing will consistently eliminate the calf cramps. And I try to stay in shape and run 3x a week, too.

About the only thing that helps is taking it easy during the dive, avoiding excess movement and any need for hard finning.

 

[Papa_Bear]

It's more about the muscle groups your using! I do pool laps with Mask, Fin, Snorkel, and a wight belt minimum one km 4 times a week or more! Running is a different group! Good luck they suck! One other thing you might try is take one aspirin the morning of the dive, thins the blood a little and might help? Don't call me in the morning if it doesn't work, I play Doctor if she will let me!

 

[Jeff Toorish]

What kind of fins are you using?

 

[Gombessa]

It's more about the muscle groups your using!

I believe that. It still sucks, cramping up at the first sign of physical exertion in the water. Unfortunately, and this is totally untrue, but I don't have easy access to a pool to swim laps.

To Jeff: I'm using scubapro jetfins.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

To Jeff: I'm using scubapro jetfins.

I personally like jetfins, but they are heavy, which can add additional stress on your leg muscles. You might try another fin. OMS makes a fin similar to jets, but much lighter. I also like the DiveRite fin.

Try stretching your calf muscles several times a day. I normally stretch mine about six times daily. I do two stretches, one involves putting my weight on one foot, flat on the floor, and bending my knee. I then switch to the other foot. The other is similar except I don't bend the knee on the leg I am stretching, only on the opposite foot --the one that is not bearing weight.

These are pretty standard exercises for someone with plantar fasciitis so you should be able to find someone in your area to demonstrate these exercises.

When I am stretching daily, I never have cramps. If I neglect to stretch, I get cramps --pretty simple. I used to be a professional choreographer, and cramping is an occupational hazard for dancers, much like divers. Stretch, a lot, and not just before a dive and you should be able to avoid cramps.

Jeff

 

[Gombessa]

Thanks for the advice Jeff. The jets are heavy, but they do help with my trim (i.e., if I wasn't using them, my head-heavy tanks would force me to take other measures). I do stretch pretty regularly (usually after my runs) but usually avoid deep stretches prior to warming up my muscles. Maybe I should try a light jog or so prior to heading down to the water (though that would mean waking up at 5am on dive days).

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Thanks for the advice Jeff. The jets are heavy, but they do help with my trim (i.e., if I wasn't using them, my head-heavy tanks would force me to take other measures). I do stretch pretty regularly (usually after my runs) but usually avoid deep stretches prior to warming up my muscles. Maybe I should try a light jog or so prior to heading down to the water (though that would mean waking up at 5am on dive days).

I have a general rule that on dive days, the only 'exercise' I engage in is diving. You can probably use lighter fins and adjust your trim by repositioning your tank.

I'm not sure if stretching after a run will work; as I mentioned, I stretch about six times a day and almost always with 'cold' muscles. Clearly one person's experience can't be considered anything but unique, but I don't cramp when I stretch several times daily.

This is just a thought, but try stretching those muscles often for several days, but not after you run. Maybe that will help.

Jeff

 

[Sas]

I often get cramps too, especially when I have driven in heavy traffic to get to a dive site - I drive a manual so my left leg in particular cramps up a lot. It is weird as I do a lot of walking, leg weights and swimming but have always had trouble with my calves cramping. I don't think it is necessarily because you are anxious...

When I am well rested I tend not to have as many troubles. Generally the best way I have found to solve cramps is to put weight on it by walking around - but yea not practical for diving! SoI found the only way to cope really is to pull the top of my fin and stretch my leg out. You can get your buddy to help by pushing your foot towards you whilst you keep your leg out straight though it can be awkward to do underwater. I make sure people I dive with know the sign for cramping (clenching your hand a few times and pointing at the cramp - I think this is the common one?) and when I do get one I stop for 30 seconds or so and they tend to pass. So yea, maybe word up your buddy so they can help if you get cramps.

 

[Noboundaries]

I've suffered from leg cramps all my life concerning anything I did with sports. I followed all the common advice (hydration, potassium, stretching, etc) with inconsistent results.

Your experience in the pool or kneeling while diving is identical to mine. The only difference is that I usually don't get calf cramps, I get cramps in the backs of my thighs in my hamstring muscles. When doing a lot of kicking, I'll also get cramps in the front of my thighs too in the quad area. I found that bananas had the opposite effect on me, often increasing the tendency to cramp instead of reducing it. One day when fighting leg cramps while golfing I drank a protein infused electrolyte drink. The reduction in cramps was almost immediate. That got me thinking.

I did quite a bit of experimentation and came up with four solutions that have eliminated my leg cramping. First, as soon as I wake up in the morning I start hydrating with water. Second, for breakfast I eat a meal that consists of half a plate of protein (eggs, ham, chicken, fish, etc) and the rest carbs (fruit, potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, etc). I stay away from beef because that seems to increase the cramping. I also salt my food. Third, with the meal I take a B-complex multivitamin that does NOT contain potassium (Relacore is what I use and you can get it at Costco). I also take a second or third vitamin serving during the course of the day depending how long I'll be diving. With only two dives the morning vitamin is usually enough). And fourth, I hydrate between dives with water and a Gatorade type supplement (not full strength-usually cut it to 50%) or a protein infused electrolyte drink. When I have a meal during the diving day, I follow the same protein/carb mix as breakfast. I carry protein powder with me in case there isn't enough protein available on the boat. Protein is more expensive than carbs or fat so it is often the first to go.

I have completely eliminated cramping from my body while diving, golfing, hiking, etc. It doesn't even cross my mind now. If I mess up on the hydration, proten/carb meal, or the vitamins, the cramps will return on one of my later dives. If I eat a banana, guaranteed cramps. The protein and the vitamin supplement made the biggest difference. The hydration is normal. The Gatorade or protein infused electrolyte is just gravy and may have other uses for offgassing.

Try the protein and vitamins and see what happens. Can't hurt. If it works for you like it did with me, problem gone.

 

[surfsidedav]

In addition to what has already been covered, I also use these and they seem to work. I don't know if it's the pill itself, the other factors, a combination of the two, or just in my head, but I rarely get cramps. I get them at the local drug store.
Hyland's Homeopathic - Leg Cramps with Quinine