Leg cramps

[surfsidedav]

I used to occassionally get minor cramps, then I found these and tried them. Now, I don't know if it's in my head, or they actually work, or a combination of the two, but cramps are virtually eliminated now.

 

[TSandM]

In normal, healthy people, eating normal diets and not on any medications, significant potassium deficiency is really not a possibility. I'm not sure where the folk wisdom of potassium supplementation for cramps comes from, but it always comes up on these threads, and I always try to educate people that it just really isn't true.

Cameron Martz has some excellent articles on muscle cramps in divers on his website. They're worth reading.

In sum, developing the strength and stamina of the involved muscles, and doing some stretching, will do far more to avoid cramps than bananas will

 

[Sas]

In normal, healthy people, eating normal diets and not on any medications, significant potassium deficiency is really not a possibility. I'm not sure where the folk wisdom of potassium supplementation for cramps comes from, but it always comes up on these threads, and I always try to educate people that it just really isn't true.

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't dehydration cause potassium deficiency? I was hospitalised with dehydration once and was told I had developed a potassium deficiency (I had arrhythmia as well as muscle cramping as a result). Does drinking more fluids reduce cramping as well? Mine was caused by food poisoning though, so that is unlikely to fit into 'normal, healthy people, eating normal diets', so maybe that level of dehydration is unlikely to cause potassium deficiency in divers to cause them to cramp?

Also that link is great! Cheers.

 

[don Francisco]

You're using muscles you don't normally use so much. As you dive more often the problem will go away. You could switch to smaller or more flexible fins for a while, or do excercises to build them up.

Cyclists often get similar cramps early in the season, then it's no longer a problem as they get into shape.

 

[don Francisco]

In normal, healthy people, eating normal diets and not on any medications, significant potassium deficiency is really not a possibility. I'm not sure where the folk wisdom of potassium supplementation for cramps comes from, but it always comes up on these threads, and I always try to educate people that it just really isn't true.

You're absolutely right here. Cyclists have a long history of managing leg cramps, and divide them into 2 main groups. Early season cramps, which usually are the result of lack of conditioning, and late season cramps, which occur during long rides in the heat.

Potassium replacement only works on the second type, where electrolytes were lost through sweating, and need to be replaced. The only way to prevent the early season cramps is through a good training program.

Translating this to diving - Prevent cramps with conditioning. More potassium will only help if you've diving for long periods in hot water and sweating a lot. A banana with breakfast might also help marginally if you're in the tropics, spending lots of time outdoors between dives.

 

[TSandM]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't dehydration cause potassium deficiency?

Fluid losses through vomiting or diarrhea can cause potassium deficency, but I wouldn't consider someone having those losses as a "normal, healthy" person.

The amount of potassium in sweat is small, but sodium losses through sweating CAN cause extremely severe muscle cramping. Losing this amount of sweat generally requires prolonged heavy activity in very hot surroundings, but I suppose someone wearing a wetsuit in Egypt in July might have those sorts of losses.

 

[MtnPlayVA]

I found that Glaceau Smart Water works the best for me. Tried potassium and magnesium tablets before diving, bananas, plain water, stretching but it didn't help. Now I drink a bottle before the dive and during SI - haven't had a problem since.