Athlete muscle cramps

Objectives: This study aimed to assess how menstrual cycle phase and extended menstrual cycle length influence the incidence of injuries in international footballers. Methods: Over a 4-year period, injuries from England international footballers at training camps or matches were recorded, alongside self-reported information on menstrual cycle characteristics at the point of injury. Injuries in eumenorrheic players were categorized into early follicular, late follicular, or luteal phase. Frequencies were also compared between injuries recorded during the typical cycle and those that occurred after the cycle would be expected to have finished...

Supplementing with creatine is very popular amongst athletes and exercising individuals for improving muscle mass, performance and recovery. Accumulating evidence also suggests that creatine supplementation produces a variety of beneficial effects in older and patient populations. Furthermore, evidence-based research shows that creatine supplementation is relatively well tolerated, especially at recommended dosages (i.e. 3-5 g/day or 0.1 g/kg of body mass/day). Although there are over 500 peer-refereed publications involving creatine supplementation, it is somewhat surprising that questions regarding the efficacy and safety of creatine still remain...

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the long head of the biceps can be successfully treated with biceps tenotomy or tenodesis when surgical management is elected. The advantage of a tenodesis is that it prevents the potential development of a cosmetic deformity or cramping muscle pain. Proponents of a subpectoral tenodesis believe that "groove pain" may remain a problem after suprapectoral tenodesis as a result of persistent motion of the tendon within the bicipital groove. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the motion of the biceps tendon within the bicipital groove before and after a suprapectoral intra-articular tenodesis...

Earp, JE, Stearns, RL, Agostinucci, J, Lepley, AS, and Ward-Ritacco, CL. Total body and extracellular water measures are unrelated to cramp sensitivity in euhydrated cramp-prone individuals. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Spectral bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a valid and noninvasive tool for measuring total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW). As altered hydration and electrolyte imbalance have been proposed as one of 2 etiologies for exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC), the purpose of this study was to determine if distribution of body water is related to cramp sensitivity in similarly hydrated cramp-prone individuals...

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Better define the proposed etiologies, risk factors, and treatment plans for exercise-associated muscle cramps in the tennis player. RECENT FINDINGS: While no one theory has been able to fully explain the etiology behind exercise-associated muscle cramping, further classification of acute localized cramping and systemic or recurrent cramping may help guide future treatment and prevention strategies. Neuromuscular fatigue more than electrolyte deficit or dehydration is believed to play a large role in development of exercise-associated muscle cramps...

Exercised-associated muscle cramp (EAMC) is a common occurrence in sports medicine. We highlight a 17-year-old male high-school football player with a history of cystic fibrosis and hyponatremic seizure, who presented for recurrent EAMC. After establishing an appropriate electrolyte replacement and hydration plan, he was able to complete his season with minimal symptoms. This case highlights the importance of hydration and nutrition planning when managing athletes with cystic fibrosis.

Marosek, SEH, Antharam, V, and Dowlatshahi, K. Quantitative analysis of the acetic acid content in substances used by athletes for the possible prevention and alleviation of exercise-associated muscle cramps. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1539-1546, 2020-Athletes regularly consume commercially available food and sports shot products, carbohydrate beverages, and water to improve their physical exertion and to possibly prevent or relieve exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs)-often experienced during practice, training, or competition...

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are thought to be caused by dehydration and/or electrolyte losses. In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, the authors determined whether sweat rates (SRs), sweat electrolyte concentrations, or sweat electrolyte content differed in athletes with (i.e., crampers) and without (i.e., noncrampers) a history of EAMCs and whether these variables could predict EAMC-prone athletes. Male and female collegiate athletes (N = 350) from 11 sports with (n = 245) and without (n = 105) a self-reported history of EAMCs completed a typical exercise or conditioning session...

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported by athletes during training and competitions. A standardized combination of artichoke leaves and ginger root extracts has shown beneficial effects in managing GI discomfort in otherwise healthy subjects. METHODS: In this pilot study, we assessed the effectiveness of artichoke leaves and ginger root extracts combination associated with simethicone in reducing exercise-related GI symptoms in endurance athletes...

Muscle cramp is a temporary but intense and painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle that can occur in many different situations. The causes of, and cures for, the cramps that occur during or soon after exercise remain uncertain, although there is evidence that some cases may be associated with disturbances of water and salt balance, while others appear to involve sustained abnormal spinal reflex activity secondary to fatigue of the affected muscles. Evidence in favour of a role for dyshydration comes largely from medical records obtained in large industrial settings, although it is supported by one large-scale intervention trial and by field trials involving small numbers of athletes...

Heat-related illnesses comprise a spectrum of syndromes resulting from disruption of thermoregulation in people exposed to high environmental heat. Symptoms range from heat edema and exercise-associated muscle cramps to exercise-associated collapse, heat exhaustion, and life-threatening heat stroke. Athletes, outdoor laborers, and military personnel are at greatest risk. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors increase the risk of heat-related illness, including medical conditions, environmental factors, medication use, and inadequate acclimatization...

Sports drinks originally developed to improve performance and prevent or treat dehydration, heat stroke, and muscle cramps in elite athletes are consumed regularly by nearly 60% of the adolescent population. Sports drinks are often perceived as healthy, and marketing campaigns fail to delineate the types and amount of activity that warrant appropriate use. Current trends in adolescent consumption of sports drinks will be reviewed and approaches to reduce consumption, including counseling on the appropriate use of sports drinks, will be discussed...

There is little information describing how endurance athletes perceive sodium intake in relation to training and competition. Using an online questionnaire, this study assessed the beliefs, information sources, and intended practices regarding sodium ingestion for training and competition. Endurance athletes (n = 344) from six English-speaking countries completed the questionnaire and were included for analysis. The most cited information sources were social supports (63%), self-experimentation (56%), and media (48%)...

BACKGROUND:  Muscle cramps are common in the population, especially in athletes. However, various ideas exist as to how to treat cramps. OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this investigation is to compare and contrast the common conceptions with the results of evidence-based studies. METHOD:  Scientific literature research. RESULTS:  The knowledge of the population seems insufficient and does not reflect the current scientific evidence...

OBJECTIVE: Analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication (AAIM) increases the risk of medical complications during endurance races. We determined how many runners use AAIM before or during races, AAIM types, and factors associated with AAIM use. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 21.1-km and 56-km races. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six thousand six hundred fifty-four race entrants. METHODS: Participants completed pre-race medical screening questions on AAIM use, running injury or exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) history, and general medical history...

The perception that children and adolescents have of injuries may be influenced by their depiction in sport-related films. The objective of this study was to determine the depiction of injuries in a select number of sport-related films. Forty-four films were analyzed. Injury category, on-the-field management, and long-term management were determined for each injury. Major injuries were defined as injuries requiring prompt intervention and immediate discontinuation of sport participation. A total of 49 injuries were depicted, categorized as fracture (n = 11), contusion (n = 10), brain concussion (n = 8), muscle cramps (n = 5), laceration/abrasion (n = 4), ligamentous knee injury (n = 4), shoulder dislocation (n = 2), rotator cuff injury (n = 2), ankle sprain (n = 2), and unspecified injury (n = 1)...

BACKGROUND: Gluteal strength plays a role in injury prevention, normal gait patterns, eliminating pain, and enhancing athletic performance. Research shows high gluteal muscle activity during a single-leg bridge compared to other gluteal strengthening exercises; however, prior studies have primarily measured muscle activity with the active lower extremity starting in 90 ° of knee flexion with an extended contralateral knee. This standard position has caused reports of hamstring cramping, which may impede optimal gluteal strengthening...

CONTEXT:   Exercise-associated muscle cramps are a common clinical problem for athletes. OBJECTIVE:   To determine whether acute passive static stretching altered cramp threshold frequency (CTF) of electrically induced muscle cramps. DESIGN:   Crossover study. SETTING:   Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:   Seventeen healthy college-aged individuals. INTERVENTION(S):   Stretching or no stretching...

Triathletes need to effectively fuel during training and racing to maximize their potential for success. While most research on fueling has focused on elite male triathletes, triathlon participation encompasses a broader demographic of racers ranging from those with aspirations of winning to those whose goals are completion. Carbohydrate is the primary macronutrient for fueling endurance activities. Athletes can usually tolerate 60 to 90 mg·h in the form of multiple different carbohydrate sources. Athletes should drink as thirst dictates and consider sodium replacement of sweat loss especially in individuals with a history of exercise-associated muscle cramps...