Novice StokeTIP 51:Be Well Hydrated To Prevent Muscle Cramps
Since I took up swimming in collage days, I have been bothered by calf muscle cramps. Now I get this painful muscle spasms when I over-stretch or stress the calf muscle; frequently enough. The most devastating time to get this is when I try to kick the water hard while taking off... imagine if that's the best wave in a surf competition! I also get one when I stretch in the morning in the bed.
While there is no complete cure for this either by drug or doing warm-up/stretch exercises there is one thing that seem to lessen the chance of this happening for me, which is the importance of being hydrated.
With the help of StokeMaster.com friends, I found out this article at this Mayo Clinic web site http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muscle-cramp/DS00311/DSECTION=prevention
If you are like me, so stoked and busy forgetting to drink water pre-sessions (somehow I don't forget to drink Beer post session but that's actually causes more dehydration) .
Since then I drink a glass of water at home before leaving and packing a eco-friendly water bottle full of tap water and remember to take a drink before a session and also immediate after it too, since an elevated heart rate does cause my kidney to work hard too... I am sure you can relate.
Also for me a sudden stress in the calf causes the issue so I should try to move the leg often while in the lineup. It is also a good way to stabilize your position yourself while in the lineup after all.
This site http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_cramp.htm has more information and also many Folk Remedy techniques. I am not entirely sure if any of them work other than I try to eat a Banana in breakfast for potassium, but instead of over-drugging myself I will stick with the Hydration and stretch methods as my main means.
Keep on Stoked and See You in the Lineup!
Manabu Tokunaga
Blog: http://wavlog.stokemaster.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/stokemaster
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