Nearly everyone gets a turn some time
Ever witnessed a bodyboarder writhing in agony, clutching their leg and almost crying with pain? It can be very alarming and also difficult to know what to do for them. It can even be life threatening. The pain seems to have come on incredibly suddenly, and for no special reason; it lasts for a period of time from just a few seconds to several minutes, and then it disappears almost as quickly as it began. This is known as leg cramps, a very common condition and in the majority of cases, totally normal. Leg cramps are caused by a contraction, or spasm, of a single muscle or muscle group, and they most frequently occur in the calf.
Who suffers from leg cramps?
Nearly every person will know what leg cramps are as it’s estimated that approximately 95% of the population experiences one at some point. Very young grooms can sometimes get them but they are more common in adults. Bodyboarders are prone to the condition because of the extreme conditions under which they place their body. Fatigue wears down their muscles, which eventually go into spasm in response to the stress they are under. They also frequently suffer from temporary dehydration and this can be a contributing factor to cramps.
What causes them?
- Leg cramps often arise due to changes in the calcium metabolism. Sometimes a doctor will start the patient on a course of calcium supplements if the pain is significant. Calcium deficiency can be an issue for people and can be the cause of their cramps too.
- Some medications such as diuretics taken for heart conditions and high blood pressure can cause leg cramps. Always read the information leaflet that accompanies your medicines and be aware of any side effects.
- Engaging in activities that one is unaccustomed to can also be a precursor to leg cramps. Bodyboarding after not doing so for several months is an example; or going for a swim after a long period of not exercising can be a culprit too. Bodyboarding without stretching beforehand can also bring on leg cramps.
- Imbalances of elements that the body needs, such as magnesium and potassium, is another factor.
- If a person breaks a bone, the muscles surrounding the area will sometimes spasm as a means of protecting it. This is the body’s clever way of immobilizing the bone and stabilizing it.
Treatment
Since leg cramps are so common, a physician will often do nothing to investigate the causes if the patient is in good general health. He will simply reassure the patient that there is no ongoing medical problem. He will advise on the best course of action to deal with the cramps as they occur and he will usually recommend massaging the affected area during and after an episode, and even massaging it in anticipation of an attack. This helps to increase circulation in the legs and can also be a particularly relaxing therapy, which can help overall in the prevention of cramps. Medications are not usually indicated. If, however, the patient returns with complaints of persistent cramping, then he/she will be evaluated and the doctor will try to determine if there is an underlying cause. Pain relievers may be prescribed for mild discomfort, but if the patient is debilitated by the cramps, then Quinine Sulfate could be an appropriate prescription but there is evidence that quinine can have dangerous side effects.
Leg cramps can, to some degree, be avoided but at least it’s reassuring to know that for the most part, they are an innocuous, though painful condition.
Bodyboarding Cramps Can Be Treated But They Can Also Be Avoided
Eat well and small, get a massage and do your stretches
For some people, bodyboarding is obviously an obsession as well as the way they earn their living. Novices and experienced bodyboarders alike succumb to leg cramps from time to time and while they are extremely unpleasant and painful, they are no cause for alarm. Scientists believe muscle fatigue, excessive body weight, neglecting to stretch and having an awkward bodyboarding style could cause them. Another factor they believe to be true is dehydration.
Keep your insides wet
Dehydration is a big contributing factor to bodyboarding cramps in muscles. Prevention is essential in order to maintain pace, to avoid having to discontinue participation in an event or free-surf session and to ensure the ongoing health of the bodyboarder. Bodyboarding for a short session requires just water, but if planning to bodyboard for a longer period of time, it’s advisable to include sports drinks to keep up an adequate supply of minerals, salts and sugars. Drinking at regular intervals of say, every thirty minutes will keep dehydration at bay.
Stretch
When leg cramps take hold, gently stretching the muscles can be greatly beneficial. Sparing a few minutes to do this can often prevent recurrence of the spasm and its resultant pain while the bodyboarder continues with the event or free-surf session.
Massage
Massage is not just for relaxation or the treatment of injuries. Sports massage by a certified therapist is a great way of treating pain that can sometimes linger for hours after leg cramps have occurred. Maintaining a massage regime on a regular basis can help avoid cramps and should be considered as a part of a bodyboarder’s fitness routine, particularly if he or she has a major event or free-surf session coming up and most particularly if the event or free-surf session is of a long duration.
Supplements
It’s widely believed that potassium, magnesium and calcium can assist in the prevention of leg cramps. Supplements can be taken but scientists suggest that athletes’ diets are so well managed that they probably obtain more than the recommended requirements of these elements in the foods they eat on a daily basis. Avoiding salt is also a good idea if cramps are an issue.
References:
http://www.crampshelp.com/
