Leg Cramping when Swimming*?

Iron Enthusiast

Recently i've been experiencing cramping in one of my calf muscles or my left foot at the end of certain swim sessions.

The cramps generally occur when i've either been swimming an endurance set, or alternatively after a long session with the club when we do sprints at the end.
(I'm guessing it's connected to the kicking i'm doing)

The cramps are pretty severe and are definitely show-stoppers as far as swimming goes.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to avoid this type of cramping or what causes it?

(I stretch before sessions and have increased my salt intake)

Cheers!

(Mods: I'm guessing this might sound like a medical question but it's not meant that way!:) )

tunney

Iron Enthusiast wrote: »

Recently i've been experiencing cramping in one of my calf muscles or my left foot at the end of certain swim sessions.

The cramps generally occur when i've either been swimming an endurance set, or alternatively after a long session with the club when we do sprints at the end.
(I'm guessing it's connected to the kicking i'm doing)

The cramps are pretty severe and are definitely show-stoppers as far as swimming goes.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to avoid this type of cramping or what causes it?

(I stretch before sessions and have increased my salt intake)

Cheers!

(Mods: I'm guessing this might sound like a medical question but it's not meant that way!:) )

Main causes of calf cramp while swimming

Pushing off the wall with your toes
Dehydration

mainly in my experience how you push off the wall, use quads not calves.

shotgunmcos

oh god you had to mention this today. my calves are in bits and I have a swim later!

I used to get these all the time and I was thinking dehydration, electrloytes etc... It always came about kicking off the wall later in the set. If it didn't go at the wall, teh kick off the wall would set it in motion for me to pull up mid length.

However, lately my swimming has been improving and I am kicking a bit more efficiently (from the hips rather than the knee) and I haven't had many pool cramps lately *touches wood*. Hence I would go out on a limb andsay that kicking incorrectly will bring on the cramps especially towards the end of a set when you are doing a few fast 50s.

If I've been running a lot I try to lessen the kick off the wall from the feet as Tunney mentioned and just leave it at quad thrust. I know that if push right off the wall with my toes tonight, I will certainly cramp later in the session.

Know how you feel though, show stoppers indeed

Iron Enthusiast

Thanks for your responses - they're a great help!

I'm guessing that you both right that it's pushing off the wall thats causing the cramps (i tend to push off quite hard as well i think).

I'm in the pool for a distance session this evening so will follow your advice and go easy on my 'push-off'!

Thanks again!:)