Common problem in athlete; especially with extreme efforts
More common in games/competition than training
Related to muscle fatigue
Typically affects muscles that cross two joints (eg gastrocnemius)
Athletes often describe a prodromal state before cramp – a feeling of tightness or pain
Risk Factors:
Extreme exertion
Assumed to have genetic component as risk factor as some athlete get them commonly and other athletes never have them
Older athletes appear to be more affected
No evidence associates it with dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
Management:
Acute: stretch muscle with contraction of the antagonist
Probably substitute player
Prevention:
Adequate conditioning.
Try to match intensity and duration of competition during training sessions
Commentary:
- It is not uncommon if watching a game of, eg rugby, that has a draw at full time and goes to extra time to get a result to see a high number of player develop an exercise-associated muscle cramp
See also:
Muscle Cramps
Nocturnal Cramps
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