Many athletes, bodybuilders, weekend warriors, and just average folks like you and me experience muscle cramps from time to time. But what causes these painful cramps? If the muscles are overworked, then they can overheat. Overheating can cause pain, inflammation, and permanent damage to muscle tissue. So, when and how do we treat muscle cramps?
Muscle cramps can be caused by either a systemic lack of potassium, calcium, magnesium, or salt, an electrolyte imbalance in the muscle, or cramps are caused by direct trauma to the muscles. Muscle cramps during exercising are often thought to be caused by fatigue or dehydration. If you are exercising hard, your body will probably need more salt and less calcium and magnesium to perform at peak efficiency. If your muscles are tired, you will probably not be getting enough water. You can get plenty of water, though, before, after, or during exercise.
Muscle Cramps and Exercise. This condition sometimes seems to be inherited by hard gainers of a gene. Exercise does not increase skeletal muscle mass in everyone. If one bodybuilder has muscular cramps, does this mean he will have the same cramps when lifting weights? No. Exercise does increase skeletal muscle mass, but only to a certain point, beyond which it becomes unable to provide optimal function.
Muscle cramps can occur in resistance training as well as in aerobic exercises. When muscles are exerted, they generate lactic acid, which burns a small amount of glucose (in the blood). When they are rested, lactic acid levels drop back to their resting levels. Anaerobic metabolism, in which the muscles are working without the aid of oxygen, generates lactic acid as its fuel. Lactic acid is then released from the muscle during the cool-down period when lactic acid levels in the bloodstream return to normal.
Muscles are constantly worked out. However, not all workouts create equal muscle cramps. Some exercises cause muscles to release more lactic acid than others. Long periods of rest or complete shutdown of the respiratory system can cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body, causing cramps. Such an imbalance can result in a number of ailments, such as heart disease and osteoporosis, so it is important to ensure that an adequate electrolyte balance is achieved throughout the day.
Muscle Cramps and Exercise. There are many theories in the field of bodybuilding about the relationship between muscle cramps and exercise tolerance. According to some experts, prolonged time spent in a stationary position may result in a decreased tolerance of muscle contractions. A sedentary lifestyle, also known as being overweight, may lead to muscle deterioration due to a lack of physical activity. In addition, athletes are generally known to be more susceptible to muscle cramps than non-athletes because they are more likely to use their muscles during exercise.
Although it has not been proven, it is believed that an excessive amount of caffeine intake may result in an increased risk of developing exercise intolerance. Caffeine appears to increase adrenaline levels, which in turn suppress the excretory function of the nervous system. Studies on animal models have indicated that high levels of caffeine intake can result in the development of fatigue and weakness. Therefore, individuals with an active lifestyle who consume large amounts of caffeine should be concerned about potential adverse health effects. Studies also indicate that regular caffeine consumption could lead to an excessive loss of fluids during sleep. This would lead to a lower level of plasma sodium levels, which is known to be associated with sodium retention, another known risk factor for hypertension.
Exercise tolerance may be increased if you are a person who has undergone surgery or suffers from kidney problems. In these cases, muscle cramps during exercise may be expected. If you experience a muscle cramp during your workout session, stop workout for a while until the cramp passes. Rest the affected muscle thoroughly and apply ice to relax it. You may try to increase your workout intensity by performing alternate sets. Consult your doctor if this method does not provide relief.
One of the major factors that are believed to result in muscle cramps during workouts is decreased activity of the skeletal muscles, known as sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is believed to occur when the myofibrils, the fibrous protein fibers that provide strength to the skeletal muscles, undergo unusual activity. Exercise-induced muscle cramps are commonly associated with decreased sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. Since this process occurs only after an exercise session, many believe that muscle cramps during intense workouts are caused by a lack of myofibril protein synthesis. Therefore, to prevent such muscle cramps, ingesting v o2peak or creatine kinase activity can help stimulate the activity of myofibrils.
Muscle Cramps and Exercise - How To Get Rid Of Muscle Cramps Due To Gym Workout? If you are a hard gainer, you must be constantly looking for new ways on how to maximize your workout. This could be an expensive hobby for you since most of these workout tips can be very costly. Fortunately, if you want to know how to get rid of muscle cramps due to gym workouts, you only need to consider the use of o2peak and creatine kinase activity. These substances can be easily purchased over the counter at your local drugstore or health store.
