Cramps.....How to deal?

[CPFitz14]

Yesterday, my HS team had a tournament in which we played three 60 minute games. We had minimal subs, so I played probably 50-55 minutes each game. Towards the end of our last game, I started to get some cramps in my calves, which isn't a great feeling. They'd cramp when I kicked the ball, sprinted, or threw it in. This is a huge problem, because our team can't afford to have their right defender cramp up as the other team gets a breakaway.

The worst part was the bus ride home, when my entire body cramped up. I'm not kidding. It was the worst feeling in my entire life. I sat in the bus seat flailing around and swearing for a good 5 minutes or so, and my teammates sure did get a good laugh while it was happening.:D First my quads cramped, so I tried to bring my legs back down, and then my hamstrings cramped too,then I leaned forward to massage my legs, and my abs cramped. It was the worst 5 minutes of my life.... I wanted to die.

I did drink a lot of fluids that day, so that shouldn't have been the problem. Basically what I'm wondering, is what is the best way to prevent cramping? I think that lack of salt is a factor in cramps, along with lack of fluids. Also... are there any proven ways to relieve cramps while they're happening? I never want to have to go through that again.

-CPFitz-

[Elninho]

I'm not sure about the rest of your body, but I might have a quick answer to calf cramps. The most relevant question might be: how do you wear your shin guards?

I'd suggest not strapping your shin guards to your legs at all, and instead just letting your socks hold them up. The straps can cut off circulation to your calves. I used to have major cramp problems, and as soon as I made this change the cramp problems went away.

[CPFitz14]

I didn't wear any straps yesterday, or use tape. Usually I use OSi sleeves, but didn't bother yesterday, I just let my socks hold them up.


-CPFItz-

[giggs88]

i think its the salt, our coach always advises us to eat pretzels or goldfish or something that has salt before practice or a match. its either that or you have played after a long time, or you just played too much.

[GreenDay]

Yes, it's all about minerals. Your muscles use Calcium, Sodium and Cloride ions to work, and if any of those become imbalanced it can cause cramps. Solution: just drinking water isn't enough, drink a sports drink/mineral water that will give you your lost minerals. Also keep a habit of stretching thoroughly after every practice and game - this will condition your mucles to be more flexible and will help to prevent cramps and injuries. I always stretch and I NEVER have muscle injuries or cramps during games. In your case, stretch after every 60 minute game and drink a lot of your favourite sprorts drink.

[Anarchist]

Ahem. Stretch thoroughly before and after each match? Massage and work the cramping areas? And... yah. Elninho is right

[hawkwing45]

Lots of bananas help curb the cramping. The potassium, as I understand it, helps kill off the acid that builds up whenever muscles are used nonstop. Docs say have 3-5 servings a day. Some guys try just picking up a one-a-day potassium pill. Wouldn't know about that, but I do know that more bananas than normal has helped me.
Oh, and stay off the soft drinks. Well, stay off too much of any one drink, even water. Especially on long road trips, the body gets too cool too quickly from sitting in one position and drinking all that liquid. Legs stiffen up, and soreness sets in. Pretty soon it hurts so much to move around that your legs work too hard and the cramp starts. Slow movement is a good idea.
Docs also say that stretching after the game is much more important than stretching before the game. And since stretching before the game is so important, that tells you how important it is after the game as well.

[hawk_claw]

i went to a doctor for cramps in my thigh playing soccer...drink lots of water...gatorade owuld be best...you're body needs electrolytes to maintain...so gatorade powerade water is good