The Mystery of Cramps
Why do you get cramps when you exercise? Well, no one knows for sure. But there are plenty of theories.
Most people know what a cramp is – that sharp, stabbing pain that suddenly hits your muscle and is never convenient. Some people never experience it, while others get it far too often. So, what can be done about it? The answer is currently a resounding "who knows".
Cramps in the Old Days
The first scientific article about muscle cramps was written by D. L. Edsall in 1908. He noticed that workers in mines and on steamships, often in hot and humid conditions, frequently reported cramps.
Humans probably experienced cramps long before Edsall became interested in this phenomenon, but this was the first attempt to explain why cramps occur. Since it was hot and sweaty workers who reported cramps, the initial hypothesis was that sweating was the problem, or more specifically, that cramps were triggered by the loss of fluids and minerals from the body.
Sweating Hypothesis Debunked
Today, the sweating hypothesis doesn't hold up, and over the past hundred years, many competing theories have emerged. These include a lack of potassium or magnesium, too little fluid, insufficient rest after a heavy workout, and generally large muscle mass.
But do any of these hold true? Not really. Research has not found strong evidence to support them. However, it is well-documented that fluid loss and imbalances in the body's salt levels do not seem to be factors. Therefore, we can dismiss the old hypothesis from miners and steamship workers.
Muscles Running Wild
In the early 2000s, a new hypothesis about muscle cramps emerged and has gained traction in cramp research. This hypothesis suggests that when the muscle becomes tired after prolonged activity, the body tries to conserve energy. This happens as the nervous system controls the muscles differently after an activity than when the body is rested, which can increase the risk of cramps.
The proposed cause is that some nerve cells go "haywire," sending uncontrolled signals to the muscles to contract. This hypothesis is currently considered the most promising for further research.
What Can Be Done?
Unfortunately, there are no well-documented treatments for muscle cramps, nor are there any sure preventive measures. There is one obvious measure, which is to train at a lower intensity. However, this is probably not very comforting for athletes who want to perform at their best.
There are no clearly documented risk factors either, meaning it's unclear what specifically puts some people at higher risk. However, some patterns seem to emerge:
- Athletes who have had cramps before are more likely to get them again.
- High intensity exercise increases the risk; for example, the faster you run, the higher the risk.
- The risk increases if you train until you're exhausted.
- The risk is higher in hot and humid conditions.
- Older people are more susceptible than younger ones.
Cramps are especially common in marathons, triathlons, football, and other endurance activities. But they can occur in all sports, particularly with unfamiliar training or strenuous exertion.
Until we find out the cause, we can assume that cramps will continue to plague humanity even after the last steamship docks.
