Cramp!

Salt and cramp, I suspect thats a myth, however I'll back my suspicion up with some decent evidence:

Serum electrolyte concentrations and hydration status are not associated with exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) in distance runners
M P Schwellnus1, J Nicol1, R Laubscher2, T D Noakes3 Br J Sports Med 2004;38:488-492

Interesting to note that hydration and cramp is probably also twaddle.
Also ingesting salt, licking your arms etc is probably twaddle:

Sodium ingestion and the prevention of hyponatraemia during exercise
Br J Sports Med 2004; 38: 790-792. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.014191

Fascinating to note that this paper showed that sodium levels dropped even when replacing fluid with a sodium containing drink going flat out against a lot of current advice, ie overhydration with any fluid is not necessarily a good thing.

I get cramp sometimes when I'm knackered. I reckon its more a question of fitness and conditioning than anything else.
Not sure if its correct to link salt/hydration levels with causing cramp - these will also happen when you've oushed the body hard. I'm sure that you could check the levels of all three peaks finishers (esp on a hot day) and they'd all be low. But not everyone would have cramp.

The first study above did check sodium levels after a tougher challenge than the Peaks, sodium or "salt" levels were not significantly low in any of the athletes and not significantly lower in the group who had cramped. The main cause of low sodium levels appears to be over-hydration (water or electrolyte drinks), not sweating.

I agree with you, the evidence suggests that cramp is a fatigue phenomenon alone.

I was told recently by a fellow fell runner (a reliable source i know :p ) that taking Cod Liver oil can help with cramp as it aids the mucles in the absorbsion and transportation of Lactic Acid. It is ofcourse a build up of Lactic acid in the muscles which causes cramp. I was under the impression that this build up of lactic acid came from the increase in anaerobic respiration, that is to say that cells are respiring without oxygen due to the increased workload of running. This would suggest to me that cramp is linked with fatigue alone.
Any thoughts on the effectiveness of Cod Liver oil?

I believe that Ibuprofen (oral or topical gel) helps with cramp...
So, here's a question really:

Is there any reason not to swallow a couple of ibuprofen tablets before a long race such as the 3 peaks? - if it helps stop the onset of cramp is there some other compelling reason not to take it?
Cheers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crowhill

I believe that Ibuprofen (oral or topical gel) helps with cramp...
So, here's a question really:

Is there any reason not to swallow a couple of ibuprofen tablets before a long race such as the 3 peaks? - if it helps stop the onset of cramp is there some other compelling reason not to take it?
Cheers.

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google answered my question and it seems like a no no:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/m..._endurance.htm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crowhill

google answered my question and it seems like a no no:

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/m..._endurance.htm

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I have taken ibuprofen and othe pain relieving anti-inflamitries before races and have felt the wrath of this mistake! Serious no no. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by martin hall

It is ofcourse a build up of Lactic acid in the muscles which causes cramp.

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Not always surely?

Read this today http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/he...=1&oref=slogin
no answers but some theories

Its bloody painful:eek: Remember hearing Rob Jebb talking about it after another 3 Peaks Cyclocross win. Don't think its down to not being fit. Everyone gets it at some point. Words of warning: do not attempt intercourse on the same day you've had cramp. Wife may have enjoyed my uncontrolled writhings, i certainly did not:eek: :D