LEG (CALF) CRAMPS

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:45 pm

Scott, I recommend drinking plenty of water with it as it will make you thirsty.

KEL · Post by **KEL** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:16 pm

KenM wrote:Recently heard/read that olympic swimmers are taking bicarbonate of soda capsules (baking soda) as the latest "performance enhancing substance". The article inclded some mumbo jumbo about the bicarb increasing the alkaline content of the blood buffering the lactic acid that causes muscle cramps. Salty stuff.

WHAT, your breathing to much smoke

...........Ah just kidding Ken, dream cure for heartburn as well!!! KEL

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:08 pm

Kel, your right about the smoke, but it's been a great excuse for not going to the gym, cough cough.

KEL · Post by **KEL** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:05 pm

Scott, just be careful, ton of sodium in it (salt)...1280 mg per tsp

, potasium from what I understand is the key to cramps (lack of that is)....eat lots of bananas and water!!!!! KEL
stretch too

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:24 pm

KneeBumps wrote:I started in on the leg cramps syndrome Sat AM- had the usual problem- drove all morning, drinking coffee to stay awake, then started hydrating with water less than an hour before hitting it. Started cramping up after about 2 hrs, had a bottle of my wife's fav water that has electrolytes but no sugar or flavoring. Worked amazingly well- within a half hour I was surfing again, no problems the whole rest of the day. I'm sold, although next time I'll drink it FIRST.

There is no magic here more the 1/2hr brake.

We old farts need to take naps.

Baking soda

Really ....there are other white powders

Mark Ramirez · Post by **Mark Ramirez** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:04 pm

Kel, You are right on the money! Potasium is the key. I eat a couple bananas before I go surfing. I haven't had any cramping in a long time. You also have to stay hydrated with lots of water. Guys, ever hear of osmosis. If you've ever taken a long bath or shower, when you finally get out, the skin on your hands looks old and like a prune. The water and electrolytes in our bodies leave through our skin. ( a semipermial membrane).

Mark Ramirez · Post by **Mark Ramirez** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:17 pm

Yes Grasshopper!

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:35 pm

Yes KEL Bananas and water are great. I grab a breakfast burrito on my way to the beach.

I have a 45min+ drive.

That solid food really helps. What you have for dinner the night before is a big factor. Heart rate is another factor. A sprint to catch the wave vs. a few hard strokes can have a effect. Remember to breathe. That may sound funny but it is a skill. My trainer is always telling me to breath during workouts.

frankfqr · Post by **frankfqr** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:58 pm

Conditioning, retaining muscle mass to take it on, and streching, to increase elasticity, goes along way. I prefer AIS- Active Isolated Stretching-, hold the stretch for 2-3 seconds, then repeat. Doesn't give the body enough time to load up the muscle on lactic acid. I highly reccomend a search of AIS for info., for those of you that stretch. It's great stuff......

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:15 pm

Thanks Frank, very interesting, probably work good while sitting in the lineup.
Here's a link: www.stretchingusa.com
Be sure to check out #9: stretching the ankles and lower leg. If this doesn't help I'm gonna try Midol.

red · Post by **red** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:14 pm

Remember to breathe

Breathe in for 10, out for 20. Pause between.

The old heavy breathing thing (big breaths*) is actually poor for exercise - it lowers the rate of exchange of CO2, so you end up dizzy and less functional - less O2 gets absorbed in the lungs and diffused through the blood.

By exhaling completely in sipping air in you promote better / more efficient O2/CO2 exchange.
Yogis can make one breath stretch over several minutes (Matt G?), but a few seconds iswhat for most of us can manage.

*OT:
Doctor: Big breaths
Girl: Yeth, and I'm only thirteen

dua anjing · Post by **dua anjing** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:20 pm

I'm with KEL on this one my legs used cramp up at the drop of a hat when I'm cold , don't even have to in the water. I have noticed a dramtic improvment since I start taking a potassium supplement.

budgie · Post by **budgie** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:20 am

magnesium
will stop the cramps dead in their tracks a tablet b4 you go surfing no matter how cold the water is

CONTIKI · Post by **CONTIKI** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:31 pm

gumby wrote:
KneeBumps wrote:
There is no magic here more the 1/2hr brake. We old farts need to take naps.

Baking soda Really ....there are other white powders

WHY GO SLOW WHEN YOU CAN GO FAST...

shamanjon · Post by **shamanjon** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:59 pm

One of the things I use is tonic water with quinine in it. It tastes a little bitter so mix it w/ some OJ or whatever you like . It has worked wonders for me and alot of other kneelos. Hope it helps.