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cramp

  • 13-10-2011 11:01am
    #1
    squeaky crank
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭


    Hi There,
    I was wondering if anyone have advice on preventing cramp. I have reasonable stamina but always get bad cramp after 120K. My calves particularly bad. Ive tried electrolytes and all that but it does not seem to help much. I enjoy the sportifs. Any advice welcome - Thanks S


Comments

  • #2
    A0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 666 ✭✭✭A0


    squeaky crank wrote: »
    Hi There,
    I was wondering if anyone have advice on preventing cramp. I have reasonable stamina but always get bad cramp after 120K. My calves particularly bad. Ive tried electrolytes and all that but it does not seem to help much. I enjoy the sportifs. Any advice welcome - Thanks S

    1) Is your bike set-up ok? Saddle height, handle bars... Clothing comfortable (not too tight)? then 2) if it's always in a fatigued state (after 120 km or so) then it might just be a lack of training over this distance (just guessing as I don't know you / your training load) and 3) have you tried calf raises? stretching - strengthening your calves at the gym / home?


  • #3
    el Bastardo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 573 ✭✭✭el Bastardo


    +1 to checking your bike setup and stretching. Isn't cycling noted to 'shorten' calves?


  • #4
    A0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 666 ✭✭✭A0


    el Bastardo wrote: »
    +1 to checking your bike setup and stretching. Isn't cycling noted to 'shorten' calves?

    Probably because cycling mainly involves concentric contractions, where muscles shorten, as opposed to running where it's a combination of concentric and eccentric actions (shortening and lengthening of muscle fibres) :)


  • #5
    rochefan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭rochefan


    I found that calcium tablets cured me. Get the ones with added magnesium, available in any supermarket. I don't take any diary products so I was lacking. Give a try and you'll know within 2/3 weeks


  • #6
    squeaky crank
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭squeaky crank


    Great - thanks everyone - there is some good things to try. Tis great to get feedback from cyclists.
    AO - The bike setup is ok - though will get it checked specifically with calf stretch in mind. also Ill increase the stretching
    el Bastardo - Thats an interesting point about calf shortening as I noticed they are tight ever since I gave up jogging and concentrated on cycling, even when im sitting at my desk a day or two after a long cycle - I think you are on the money there
    Roachfan, Ill try the calcium tablets this week end.
    Thanks again - S


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  • #7
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    rochefan wrote: »
    Get the ones with added magnesium

    I'm pretty sure calcium and magnesium compete for absorption and that it's better to take them separately. Someone who knows more can confirm.


  • #8
    rochefan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭rochefan


    I'm pretty sure calcium and magnesium compete for absorption and that it's better to take them separately. Someone who knows more can confirm.


    I'm no expert either but I'm just going on what I found on the net (was from cyclingnews fitness section) and what the packets say. The magnesium helps the calcium get absorbed. That said a friend of mine had cramp problems and was told to just take magnesium as he was a big diary eater so calcium should not have been a problem for him.


  • #9
    Oldlegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 570 ✭✭✭Oldlegs


    At times I have noticed my calf muscles cramping up (especially on multi-sport events). For me, I think part of this was lack of electrolytes, but also, as I was getting tired, my calf muscles we getting a 'flick' at the bottom of each down-stroke, which was lending itself to cramp.

    When I am not too knackered to concentrate, I have started to focus more on pulling up with my legs, which appears to stop the calf muscle from going too loose (which stops the 'flick'). {I may also just be getting a little fitter, and a little more intelligent about my rehydration, but would not bet on this :p)


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