Which Pill helps with Cramping?

[zeepee]

Have you heard of the Powerband Bracelet? Works wonders for cramping, it's has a magical hologram that's tuned to your body's cramping thingymaging and stops you from cramping.

[zeepee]

Seriously though, I race offroad motorbikes and cramp really badly in my abductors the evening after a race or really hard training ride. It only happens occasionally and nothing I've tried has been successful.

 

I've learnt to live with walking around or lying on the couch or whatever and then suddenly not be able to move my legs and be in serious pain. At least everyone around me gets a good laugh out of it.

[walkerr]

A cohort study looking at risk factors for cramping in 210 triathletes:

 

RESULTS:

 

43 triathletes reported EAMC (cramping group) and were compared with the 166 who did not report EAMC (non-cramping group). There were no significant differences between groups in any pre-race-post-race serum electrolyte concentrations and body weight changes. The development of EAMC was associated with faster predicted race times and faster actual race times, despite similarly matched preparation and performance histories in subjects from both groups. A regression analysis identified faster overall race time (and cycling time) and a history of cramping (in the last 10 races) as the only two independent risk factors for EAMC.

CONCLUSION:

 

The results from this study add to the evidence thatdehydration and altered serum electrolyte balance are not causes for EAMC. Rather, endurance runnerscompeting at a fast pace, which suggests that they exercise at a high intensity, are at risk for EAMC.

 

Interesting, thanks for posting. I guess statistically the sample is too small to be definitive, but it certainly resonates with experiences a lot of us have had.

 

Meant to mention that DisChem sell little purple bottles of only Magnesium - I've chowed those and Enos in extreme occasions. It has helped briefly, but I strongly suspect a placebo effect at work there. I've read other studies that brain chemistry can inhibit/provoke nerve signals (I forget which) that also act as cramp triggers. Which makes a possible placebo effect quite believable to me.

[kandui]

I'll just go with Crampblock, because it sounds nice and I can't remember the names of the other stuff. Thanks for the advice.

[walkerr]

Cool. Definitely interested in how you get on, so post back results. If the previous posts illustrate one thing, it is that Cramps are still a very poorly understood area.

[Garfield2010]

There are 2 things for certain about cramps......

 

1. There is a direct correlation to heat. You cramp more easily on a hot day.

 

2. Your body uses cramping to tell you to slow down to protect itsself

[Garfield2010]

Oh and after last weekends cramp-festival I went to dischem on Sunday to buy cram ping supplements. On all of the anti cramp labels it says "May prevent cramping"

[SwissVan]

Oh and after last weekends cramp-festival I went to dischem on Sunday to buy cram ping supplements. On all of the anti cramp labels it says "May prevent cramping"

 

Unt? How much did all these crampking supplements set you back financially, never mind the wear and tear on your kidneys….

[RacerX]

and here's another perspective! ...

 

Five Lessons From Training Camp

[Garfield2010]

Unt? How much did all these crampking supplements set you back financially, never mind the wear and tear on your kidneys….

 

I got pills for R150.

 

So in the next few weeks I will tell you if they work. Seems I will have to conduct my own studies!!

 

Oh yeah and last Saturday I was CrampKing as you say!

['Dale]

I'm cramping from reading this thread.

 

Left quad.

 

*grin*

[walkerr]

... never mind the wear and tear on your kidneys….

 

Actually, just a comment to pass on re that. Mine were so bad at one stage I went to my GP for some tests. Nothing conclusive, but he did say magnesium could be a factor in some people.

 

I asked about side effects or risk of over dosing on magnesium - his comment was that as long as it was just magnesium (nothing else in the mix), there weren't significant risk. Your tummy would start running way before you took enough to be an issue.

 

Thought I'd pass on ... that's how I came to use Magnesium on it's own rather than in some other combo where I could risk Potassium or Sodium overload.

 

I'm not medic - just passing on what I was told. YMMV.

[walkerr]

I'm cramping from reading this thread.

 

Left quad.

 

*grin*

 

:clap: ... ouch, nice!

[Hendrik vd Walt]

My 2 cents worth - Also cramp a lot - I started mixing Rehydrat (half a packet) into my race drink and that has definately done the trick!!!!!

[walkerr]

My 2 cents worth - Also cramp a lot - I started mixing Rehydrat (half a packet) into my race drink and that has definately done the trick!!!!!

 

Interesting one. Have you checked the pack to see what it might be including or doubling up over you race drink that may be helping?

[Garfield2010]

I read an interesting theory that a shortage of electrolytes causes cramping. The signals between your brain and muscles are relayed through electrolites. It is almost like sal water can rely electricity a lot better than normal water can.

 

Should these electrolytes/salts then get flushed out of the system then the signals are broken and hence the cramp.

 

THats why salt tablets are basically cramp preventive pills........

 

Interesting...............

 

So if you drink only water theoretically you should start to cramp eventually.

 

At one stage I used to take salt and vinegar chips on rides with me and thinking back it actually helped!