The sports medicine community and athletes often contribute exercise related muscle cramping to dehydration or an imbalance of electrolytes. However, in an astonishing study performed by a professor of sports medicine and the director of Ironman South Africa in 1997, the conclusion was drawn that exercise-associated muscle cramping due to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances is a misconception. [1] This conclusion was drawn after the director followed 1300 runners during the competition.
The Science Behind Why Electrolytes and Hydration Don’t Help Muscle Cramps
Electrolytes and hydration must make their way through the bloodstream in order to have an effect on muscle cramps. This process takes much too long to provide relief. In fact, it takes one hour for electrolytes,[2] 30 minutes for bananas, [3] and five minutes for water. [4] For athletes, this amount of time can hinder performance due to the lack of relief of their muscular cramps.
But what about using these methods to prevent cramps rather than using them to stop cramps once they start? Even as a preventative, these measures are still not an effective choice. Researchers performed sweat testing of laborers in shipyards and mines 100 years ago. What was found was that the sweat contained high levels of chloride, which makes up half of the salt content in your sweat. This resulted in leading scientists to believe that it was the absence of this electrolyte causing muscles to malfunction rather than dehydration. [5]
Neuromuscular Fatigue and Muscle Cramps
The reason behind why electrolytes and hydration has little to no effect has to do with the neuromuscular fatigue theory. This theory believes that the issue is not with the muscles; it has to do with the nerves that control the muscles. Furthermore, the theory states:
● Muscle contractions are initiated by a nerve, referred to as the alpha motor neuron.
● This neuron receives messages from your brain, known as conscious movements, and also from your spinal reflexes (unconscious movements).
● Spinal reflexes stop muscles from stretching or loading in excess.
● Neuromuscular fatigue causes an elevation in firing from the reflexes that protect against stretching, which results in excessive muscle contractions (cramps).
Treating Cramps Through Nerve Targeting
If you’ve ever experienced a brain freeze from drinking or eating something cold, you know it’s uncomfortable. This reaction is caused by the nerves in the mouth and esophagus being topically stimulated. CrampFix uses a unique blend of ingredients which targets these nerve receptors in a person’s mouth and throat, which provides near immediate relief to your body’s neurological response. In addition, since CrampFix does not go through the bloodstream, the product relieves muscle cramps and also prevents them within 60 seconds of taking it.
- [1] Beresini, Erin. “How Can I Avoid Muscle Cramps?” Outside Online, 13 May 2013. Web. 24 Dec. 2015.
- [2] Miller, Kevin C. “Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps: Debunking Five Myths.” Mom’s Team, 19 July 2013. Web. 24 Dec. 2015.
- [3] Miller, Kevin C. “Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps: Debunking Five Myths.” Mom’s Team, 19 July 2013. Web. 24 Dec. 2015.
- [4] Hutchinson, Alex. “How Quickly Is Water Absorbed After You Drink It?” Sweat Science, 19 Oct. 2011. Web. 24 Dec. 2015.
- [5] Tucker, Ross, and Jonathan Dugas. “Muscle Cramps: Part I.” Www.sportsscientists.com. The Science of Sport, 20 Nov. 2007. Web. 24 Dec. 2015.