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Lead Stories: Saturday, August 30, 2008

Exercise-Induced Muscle Cramps: Causes & Prevention

Posted November 17th, 2007 at 1:00 PM by Jared Markowitz

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

Exercisers are often told that muscle cramps are caused by lack of salt (sodium) or low potassium. However, recent studies show that athletes in endurance events who suffer cramps usually have normal sodium and potassium levels.

A review of the current literature from Buenos Aires, Argentina shows that doctors don’t know very much about exercise-induced muscle cramps (Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, July 2007).

The most common cause appears to be muscle damage. Athletes may be able to prevent cramps by slowing down when they feel the muscle pulling and tightening, and picking up the pace only when the muscle feels good again.

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