Chronic Calf Cramps.....
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chronic Calf Cramps.....
My girlfriend has been suffering from calf muscle cramps after she's been riding. They start during her sleep. I personally use Nuun tablets to replenish my electrolytes especially magnesium and potassium, and occasionally protein shakes after a ride. Are there any other supplements you guys recommend to try and alleviate these muscle spasms? Note: this only occurs after a long ride rather than a recurring health problem.
Last edited by Flyingblind9; 07-14-14 at 11:49 AM. Reason: Grammar Error.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,875
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 9, Specialized Transition, Specialized Fate, Specialized Crux
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
8 Posts
Compression socks, stretching, lots and lots of bananas, I use E.F.S. on long days.
#3
Upgrading my engine
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Alamogordo
Posts: 6,218
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Endurolytes work well for me during a ride. Never had an issue with post-ride cramps (especially while sleep riding), so I'm not sure if that translates.
If it were me I'd look at diet/hydration first. There are lots of foods that naturally contain electrolytes.
If it were me I'd look at diet/hydration first. There are lots of foods that naturally contain electrolytes.
#4
Speechless
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842
Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times
in
16 Posts
Another aid is to vary foot angle at points during a long ride. Intentionally ride with exaggerated toe down for small stretches, and exaggerated heel down at other points. Remember to stand up. Just a wee bit of variety mixed in does a world of good.
#5
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,303
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 727 Times
in
372 Posts
The causes for cramps, and therefore the remedy, is largely unkown.
The data to support dehydration and electrolyte depletion as casuses is actually very week.
What is known is that over utilizing muscles, beyond what they are trained for can lead to cramps. So the best remedy is more training to get stronger.
There's anecdotal support for a number of remedies; pickle juice, mustard, magnesium.
None of those things will kill you so they're worth trying.
Also, for cramps at night, there's an issue of flexing your calf from too tight bed sheets, so loosen up the sheets.
The data to support dehydration and electrolyte depletion as casuses is actually very week.
What is known is that over utilizing muscles, beyond what they are trained for can lead to cramps. So the best remedy is more training to get stronger.
There's anecdotal support for a number of remedies; pickle juice, mustard, magnesium.
None of those things will kill you so they're worth trying.
Also, for cramps at night, there's an issue of flexing your calf from too tight bed sheets, so loosen up the sheets.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,764
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1975 Post(s)
Liked 232 Times
in
173 Posts
Is she using clipless pedals or platforms? One of the issues may be too much toeing and/or incorrect placement of the cleats. A proper fitting may be the correct solution to this problem since its only in the calves
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
She is riding clipless pedals. I'll see what adjustments she is at. Maybe it is too far toward the toe of the shoe forcing her to use more calf muscle. We did an adjustment earlier this year for cleat positioning because of knee pain.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sorry didn't realize I didn't punctuate that very well! That's rather amusing that you pointed that one out because I totally see that now. I'd actually be rather impressed if someone could actually sleep ride!
#12
Portland Fred
But seriously, my anecdotal experience supports what has been said here. Overutilizing muscles seems to be the biggest culprit for me followed by dehydration. Flexing muscles while in bed can also trip an episode. Electrolytes, potassium, and proper hydration seem to help.
Protip: People who are prone to leg cramps need to be mindful of large animals in the bed. I once got double leg cramps while sleeping with a large dog, scared the crap out of her, and created a situation that got my blood flowing (mostly onto the sheets). The dog was clamped onto my arm, but my legs were so seized up I couldn't do anything about it. I'd never really thought about the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie" until then...
#14
Portland Fred
Another thing that I've found seems to trigger cramps is stretching in bed. Stretching with pointed toes causes enough issues that I make it a point to avoid doing so.
#15
Cat 5 field stuffer
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hammond, La
Posts: 1,426
Bikes: Wabi Lightning RE, Wabi Classic
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
3 Posts
Pickle juice stops cramps, there's even a single serve product "Bob's pickle juice" available at Wally World. This however just treats the symptom.
Is she more of a masher or a spinner? If masher, I'd try having her work on upping her cadence.
Does she take statins by chance? For many of us statins and muscle use, beyond sitting on the couch, don't mix. Talk to MD.
Is she more of a masher or a spinner? If masher, I'd try having her work on upping her cadence.
Does she take statins by chance? For many of us statins and muscle use, beyond sitting on the couch, don't mix. Talk to MD.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
468 Posts
The causes for cramps, and therefore the remedy, is largely unkown.
The data to support dehydration and electrolyte depletion as casuses is actually very week.
What is known is that over utilizing muscles, beyond what they are trained for can lead to cramps. So the best remedy is more training to get stronger.
There's anecdotal support for a number of remedies; pickle juice, mustard, magnesium.
None of those things will kill you so they're worth trying.
Also, for cramps at night, there's an issue of flexing your calf from too tight bed sheets, so loosen up the sheets.
The data to support dehydration and electrolyte depletion as casuses is actually very week.
What is known is that over utilizing muscles, beyond what they are trained for can lead to cramps. So the best remedy is more training to get stronger.
There's anecdotal support for a number of remedies; pickle juice, mustard, magnesium.
None of those things will kill you so they're worth trying.
Also, for cramps at night, there's an issue of flexing your calf from too tight bed sheets, so loosen up the sheets.
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pickle juice stops cramps, there's even a single serve product "Bob's pickle juice" available at Wally World. This however just treats the symptom.
Is she more of a masher or a spinner? If masher, I'd try having her work on upping her cadence.
Does she take statins by chance? For many of us statins and muscle use, beyond sitting on the couch, don't mix. Talk to MD.
Is she more of a masher or a spinner? If masher, I'd try having her work on upping her cadence.
Does she take statins by chance? For many of us statins and muscle use, beyond sitting on the couch, don't mix. Talk to MD.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As a teenager and young adult with calf cramps, a glass of milk each day would eliminate the problem.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 429
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, I had an issue like that. My wife went on a low salt diet, which pretty much put me on a low salt diet. After a month of that is when the cramping started for me. I now take a few salt stick caps when it is hot out now...
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Perth, Australia and sometimes Penang Malaysia
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Litespeed L1r, Litespeed Ghisallo 07, TCR Advanced Team SL 0 ISP, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Giant TCR Advanced Team - T-Mobile, Giant Propel Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
POWER TO THE PEDAL ? CLEAT POSITION » Bike Fit » Feet » Steve Hogg's Bike Fitting Website
#22
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,834 Times
in
2,229 Posts
No statins for some people. Drives CK levels extremely high and can lead to cramping and RLS type symptoms.
I drink V8 juice for sodium/potassium.
I drink V8 juice for sodium/potassium.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#23
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 28
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Allez Comp M2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been recently getting some nasty calf cramps during the day of after riding or the day after.
Been taking those salt/sodium tablets almost immediately after a ride and I don't get them after a ride anymore. I still do get them a little bit during the ride though.
Been taking those salt/sodium tablets almost immediately after a ride and I don't get them after a ride anymore. I still do get them a little bit during the ride though.
#24
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 35
Bikes: Trek 7.3 Fx Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My GF has the very same issue and I don't know anyone who is so consistently hydrated.
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 125
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks once again for all the feedback here. I figured I'd check back here as an update and the cramps have stopped. We focused more on hydration and electrolyte replenishment but I did notice that when going up hills or when she started getting tired, she would ride with her toe down considerably which would overwork that particular muscle. With that corrected along with steady nutrition, no more cramps!