Toe Cramps

iregk

Hi all,

Never posted in the swimming forum before so here goes. I'm a cyclist who does 200km+ a week between training and racing. On Thursdays I do lane swimming and as an ex lifeguard I'm decent enough in the pool and I'd cover roughly 90-100 lenghts (25mt).

The thing is I'm quite fit and never cramp up when cycling. Hydration and salt levels would generally be quite high yet every single Thursday about 30-40 mins in I always get toe cramps. Getting rid of them is quite easy but how in the hell can you prevent them? I've googled it and everyone simply tells you how to get rid of it and not prevent it. I'd stretch well before entering the pool so I don't thinking is a warm up/stretching issue. Curiously all the ex competitive swimmers that would be in my lane all get them, none of the other casual swimmers in other lanes do.

Cheers
G

Tinder

I get them too..... Don't know why but I get them less now, I think it was from tensing my toes too much, I recon people who point their toes on the kick suffer more. I could be completely wrong but try and relax your toes a bit when kicking.

sock puppet

Ha strange I've started getting them the past few weeks as I've gone back swimming. Bananas are meant to be good for prevention but you probably know that already. Maybe you're not getting enough water during your swim? In pools you don't really notice the amount you sweat, and I've rarely felt thirsty while swimming either.

lisadwt

I'm a 'retired' (or just lazy) competitive swimmer, I used to always get them, especially off the turn! Take Magnesium supplements, or Magnesium and Zinc, used to work wonders for me!

Fanfaron

Don't know if this will help you at night, but when I start getting toe cramps at night, I put on some lightweight socks... after a couple of minutes, the cramps go away. Hope this will give you some relief, because I know you can't sleep when your toes cramp up! I know this might seem TOO SIMPLE, but you have nothing to lose by just giving it a try. Best wishes.

Nonmonotonic

Many causes, here's a good explanation! It may even be genetic.

Love the phrase 'altered neuromuscular control'.

Cure?

Vinegar is the obvious common ingredient in both mustard (which is used by some athletic trainers) and pickle juice. But, as yet, there is no experimental research that has explained the mechanism of how these treatments work.

from http://www.momentummedia.com/articles/tc/tc1009/cramps.htm

AngryHippie

I'm not sure whether other coaches will agree or not, but in my experience (swimmer & coach) I've found that a few overload sessions with fins for a few weeks will sort it out long term, I think its got to do with LME in the small muscles in your feet and legs, they are used to being used for balance while walking, running cycling etc, when they get put into a flexed position they don't have the strength to hold it for long. When you use the fins first they will cramp up very quickly, as you get used to them, you will find that they stretch and strenghthen the problem muscles to the point where swimming without fins is a more comfortable and relaxed movement.
Also check that you are not overdoing your leg work, kicking too fast can be quite a bit of wasted effort, unless you are trying to isolate your legs, or to crank up your HR in a hurry.
Have fun, stretch warm, and drink plenty (of water)

conno16

1. mineral defficiency (as above)
2. make sure you are well hydrated before going for a 60-min swim
3. tensing your calf muscles has a knock-on effect

get some vits but more importantly relax your lower leg muscles
i'd concentrate on the latter more so

conno16

Fanfaron wrote: »

Don't know if this will help you at night, but when I start getting toe cramps at night, I put on some lightweight socks... after a couple of minutes, the cramps go away. Hope this will give you some relief, because I know you can't sleep when your toes cramp up! I know this might seem TOO SIMPLE, but you have nothing to lose by just giving it a try. Best wishes.

are these socks waterproof?

cjt156

conno16 wrote: »

are these socks waterproof?

I'm no expert but I'd guess sleep-swimming is not recommended.