Wildcard:
WOW! Cramps have everything to do with hydration and "lites". Tired muscle cramps from poor conditioning are one thing. Cramps from someone in any kind of shape at all are almost always hydration or electrolite caused....It never ceases to amase me how people with no medical training other than reading fitnes magazine or whatever push there theroys as fact.
Strech out good, drink lots of water, add K+ to your drink if your in a hot environment and drinking more than a gallon of water a day, and stay is the best shape you can.
Those are fighting words and obviously represent an ignorance to my background in this area. Instead of having a showdown somewhere, let's put my "theroys" against yours. Mine come from peer-reviewed research listed with the National Library of Medicine and graduate-level texts in exercise physiology. I don't read fitness magazines, and I certainly wouldn't rely upon them for information if I did.
Here are just a few studies about exercise-induced cramps that might interest you (Note: EAMC stands for "exercise associated muscle cramping):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16015122&query_hl=1
Serum electrolytes in Ironman triathletes with exercise-associated muscle cramping.
(Sulzer et al 2005)
"Acute EAMC in ironman triathletes is not associated with a greater percent body mass loss or clinically significant differences in serum electrolyte concentrations. The increased EMG activity of cramping muscles may reflect increased neuromuscular activity."
To understand what they're saying, you have to know that body mass loss comes from dehydration.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15273192&query_hl=1
Serum electrolyte concentrations and hydration status are not associated with exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) in distance runners.
(Schwellnus et al 2004)
"There are no clinically significant alterations in serum electrolyte concentrations and there is no alteration in hydration status in runners with EAMC participating in an ultra-distance race."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9232553&query_hl=9
Aetiology of skeletal muscle 'cramps' during exercise: a novel hypothesis.
"Historically, the causes of EAMC have been proposed as (1) inherited abnormalities of substrate metabolism ('metabolic theory') (2) abnormalities of fluid balance ('dehydration theory'), (3) abnormalities of serum electrolyte concentrations ('electrolyte theory') and (4) extreme environmental conditions of heat or cold ('environmental theory'). Detailed analyses of the available scientific literature including data from recent studies do not support these hypothesis for the causes of EAMC."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8784961&query_hl=19
Exercise-induced muscle cramp. Proposed mechanisms and management.
(Bentley 1996)
"Disturbances at various levels of the central and peripheral nervous system and skeletal muscle are likely to be involved in the mechanism of cramp and may explain the diverse range of conditions in which cramp occurs. The activity of the motor neuron is subject to a multitude of influences including peripheral receptor sensory input, spinal reflexes, inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord, synaptic and neurotransmitter modulation and descending CNS input. The muscle spindle and golgi tendon organ proprioceptors are fundamental to the control of muscle length and tone and the maintenance of posture. Disturbance in the activity of these receptors may occur through faulty posture, shortened muscle length, intense exercise and exercise to fatigue, resulting in increased motor neuron activity and motor unit recruitment. The relaxation phase of muscle contraction is prolonged in a fatigued muscle, raising the likelihood of fused summation of action potentials if motor neuron activity delivers a sustained high firing frequency."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7830383&query_hl=12
Exercise-induced muscle pain, soreness, and cramps.
(Miles & Clarkson 1994)
"Although it is commonly assumed that cramps during exercise are the result of fluid electrolyte imbalance induced by sweating, two studies have not supported this. Moreover, participants in occupations that require chronic use of a muscle but do not elicit profuse sweating, such as musicians, often experience cramps."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2178579&query_hl=12
Muscle cramps.
(McGee 1990)
"Although many therapies have been proposed for ordinary cramps, the best evidence supports stretching exercises and quinine."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=3735481&query_hl=6
Exercise-induced muscle cramp: a prospective biochemical study in marathon runners.
(Maughan 1986)
"The results suggest that exercise-induced muscle cramp may not be associated with gross disturbances of fluid and electrolyte balance."
These studies go back to 1986 with not a single peer-reviewed study in that timeframe showing any link between hydration and electrolyte imbalance and EAMC. Additionally, even exercise physiology books on my shelf that are nearly a decade old devote sections on dispelling this as myth. This is not new information, though as I said, the myth itself seems quite persistent.
Cameron
