Cramps discussion

[Woofie]

Ok, there was another thread going around yesterday about how anti-inflams are bad for your kidneys while excercising etc.

 

How bad are they?

 

Would anti-inflams help to offset cramps at all?

 

I have been doing a fair bit of reading here and scientificly it seams that no cramp block tablet of sorts should actually help.

Cramp block has "seemed" to work for me, but I am wondering how much of a mental thing that is as well.

 

Now doctors seem to think that the only reason you cramp is from the muscle getting over stimulated from electrical impulses through the nerves and as the muscle gets more tired so the impulses increase and that is why you cramp. (it is believed at least)

 

Now what if you had to take some sort of medication to "control" the nerve impulses a bit better? Maybe a anti-inflam would help slightly. or else what about a muscle relaxant or something?

 

Ideas anyone?

 

 

 

[Moab]

Ok' date=' there was another thread going around yesterday about how anti-inflams are bad for your kidneys while excercising etc.

How bad are they?

Would anti-inflams help to offset cramps at all?

I have been doing a fair bit of reading here and scientificly it seams that no cramp block tablet of sorts should actually help.
Cramp block has "seemed" to work for me, but I am wondering how much of a mental thing that is as well.

Now doctors seem to think that the only reason you cramp is from the muscle getting over stimulated from electrical impulses through the nerves and as the muscle gets more tired so the impulses increase and that is why you cramp. (it is believed at least)

Now what if you had to take some sort of medication to "control" the nerve impulses a bit better? Maybe a anti-inflam would help slightly. or else what about a muscle relaxant or something?

Ideas anyone?


[/quote']

 

Inti inflams are very bad for the kidneys. I have regular kidney stones and kidney infections and have been told to stay off them. Not suggested, recommended etc but told so I guess they are bad . Thats my 3c

[Woofie]

 

Ok' date=' there was another thread going around yesterday about how anti-inflams are bad for your kidneys while excercising etc.

 

How bad are they?

 

Would anti-inflams help to offset cramps at all?

 

I have been doing a fair bit of reading here and scientificly it seams that no cramp block tablet of sorts should actually help.

Cramp block has "seemed" to work for me, but I am wondering how much of a mental thing that is as well.

 

Now doctors seem to think that the only reason you cramp is from the muscle getting over stimulated from electrical impulses through the nerves and as the muscle gets more tired so the impulses increase and that is why you cramp. (it is believed at least)

 

Now what if you had to take some sort of medication to "control" the nerve impulses a bit better? Maybe a anti-inflam would help slightly. or else what about a muscle relaxant or something?

 

Ideas anyone?

 

 

[/quote']

 

Inti inflams are very bad for the kidneys. I have regular kidney stones and kidney infections and have been told to stay off them. Not suggested, recommended etc but told so I guess they are bad . Thats my 3c

 

But I never normally take them anyway.

So would it really be that bad to take one or two during a race?

 

 

[Snidge]

So whats the solution to stop cramp then?

[Woofie]

 

So whats the solution to stop cramp then?

 

I am waiting for a volunteer now.

 

Ibruprofen anyone?

 

 

 

[SeaBee]

Train harder?

 

Like was said - Train like you race and race like you train. I.e. don't vary race and training intensity too much. That includes stuff like cadence and saddle/standing time, where different muscle groups fire. If in doubt, start off easier in a race and do the second half harder.

 

Side effect of ibruprofenis numerous - inclusive the stated kidney issues that can creep in. Amongst others stuff like water retention and blood thickness that can be influenced. Naah, I'll pass. Find another volunteer! (That's just my personal opinion.)

 

 

 

[Woofie]

 

Asprin in turn will thin the blood.

So for every ibruprofen taken join it with a disprin.

 

Come on

 

Woofie2009-11-12 06:56:52

[Jakes_1]

 

So whats the solution to stop cramp then?

the only solution is to train harder and more frequent and not to race harder than your training intensity

 

[Snidge]

So whats the solution to stop cramp then?

the only solution is to train harder and more frequent and not to race harder than your training intensity

 

Im no expert in the matter but if you training at your racing intensity you doing something wrong. That is the fastest way to burn out surely.

[Minion]

 

 

Im no expert in the matter but if you training at your racing intensity you doing something wrong. That is the fastest way to burn out surely.

If you're doing it every day, then yes. But that's why you allow lighter sessions and time for recovery.

Edman2009-11-12 08:56:00

[mudda]

I used to cramp.

 

That problem went away as soon as I matched my training distance to my race distance, and trained more often.

 

So if you preparing for the 94.7 and the longest rides you have been doing is 50km in a session, you could find yourself cramping.

 

Perhaps the reason could be related to the fact that you are used to riding the shorter distance.Since it is a race, you may have pushed harder up to your base miles. Thereafter your body warns you, that you have pushed too hard.

 

The advice that some have already mentioned, is to train for your races.

 

 

[acroblanc]

stay away from any anti-inflam before, during and after racing/training!aspirin included. If you need them you probably should be resting.

[Guest Agteros]

Guys, none of this is new. It has been posted on the www before (November 20, 2007 actually) by Dr Ross Tucker & Dr Jonathon Dugas

 

read on http://www.sportsscientists.com/2007/11/muscle-cramps-part-1-theories-and.html

[Jakes_1]

 

So whats the solution to stop cramp then?

the only solution is to train harder and more frequent and not to race harder than your training intensity

?

Im no expert in the matter but if you training at your racing intensity you doing something wrong. That is the fastest way to burn out surely.

i train like this with recovery rides or no ride every second day and i don't cramp, not even on races double my training distance.

[Sean Sakinofsky]

I also agree with the comments made by Dr. Jeroen Swart on Super Cycling. As the founder of Cadence Nutrition and someone who manufactures nutritional products for endurance sports, I feel that there is too much emphasis placed on the hype of nutritional product, and not enough valid scientific basis for this hype. Therefore, I feel there should be more scientific and medical review on current nutritional product on the market, and any products to enter the market in the future. 

[The Doctor]

To answers some of the questions posted:

 

There are a number of factors that ARE associated with cramping. These include:

 

A family history of cramping.

Infrequent stretching.

Long history of running.

Excessively high starting intensity in races.

Races which significantly exceed training distance.

Altered biomechanics which overload a muscle group/s.

 

If you do cramp:

 

Change to a slightly harder gear but lower the cadence significantly. This activates the golgi tendon organ and will help delay the cramping. You will eventually cramp if you continue riding. If you are unable to ride, get off, stretch the affected area continuously for a few minutes or until the cramps abate and then continue.

The Doctor2009-11-14 10:15:03