Physical Education

Unit - 10

10.3.3.6.Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles. They often occur after exercise or at night, lasting a few seconds to several minutes. You have probably had a muscle cramp before. It is a very common muscle problem.

What Causes Muscle Cramps?
The exact cause of muscle cramps is still unknown, but the theories most commonly cited include:

• Altered neuromuscular control
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte depletion
• Poor conditioning
• Muscle fatigue
• Doing a new activity

Other factors that have been associated with muscle cramps include exercising in extreme heat. The belief is that muscle cramps are more common during exercise in the heat because sweat contains fluids as well as electrolyte (salt, potassium, magnesium and calcium). When these nutrients fall to certain levels, the incidence of muscle spasms increases. Because athletes are more likely to get cramps in the preseason, near the end of (or the night after) intense or prolonged exercise, some feel that a lack of conditioning results in cramps.