Cramp in teenager

[BearPear]

My son is 19 and overweight, he works and his spare time is spent on the computer. I think he has realised that he needs to shape up a bit, plus he has been impressed by a cyclist he has seen doing 30 - 40mph on the way to work. His dad is a committed cyclist (I haven't been out since I had a clipless moment, that's another story...)

Anyway, he went out on his dad's bike last night, every route from home goes uphill. He returned after about 20 minutes wiped out! About half an hour later he suffered excruciating calf cramp, it came on a couple of times and was so bad it reduced him to tears (19, 6ft and about 13 stone!). Can anyone please suggest a cure for cramp - I don't want this to put him off getting on the bike again. I wondered about electrolyte drinks before setting off?

 

[david1701]

get him an mtb (or other low geared bike), if you can do 30-40mph it has high gearing. I brought my commuterised mtb into town today and was amazed at just how low geared it is, no real resistance in any gear and I've only been on a tricross for like 2 months.

It's just a thought as a temporary measure to get him used to hills, also check bike fit if its your bike he might be riding it in a funny place.

Trying to think why I got really bad cramp a few weeks back.

PS 13 stone isn't too bad for 6' in fact I think it even slides through as an ok BMI I'm 5' and 13 stone and only slightly overweight from the scales

 

[Angelfishsolo]

How to Treat Muscle Spasms and Cramps

Research helps explain the cause and best treatment of muscle spasms and cramps
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide

Updated June 09, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board


See More About:

• running
• sprains and strains
• stretching

If you've ever had muscle spasms or muscle cramps, you know they can be extremely painful. In some cases, a muscle may spasm so forcefully that it results in a bruise on the skin. Most muscle spasms and cramps are involuntary contractions of a muscle. A serious muscle spasm doesn't release on its own and requires manual stretching to help relax and lengthen the shortened muscle. Spasms and cramps can be mild or extremely painful. While they can happen to any skeletal muscle, they are most common in the legs and feet and muscles that cross two joints (the calf muscle, for example). Cramps can involve part of a muscle or all the muscles in a group. The most commonly affected muscle groups are:

• Back of lower leg / calf (gastrocnemius).
• Back of thigh (hamstrings).
• Front of thigh (quadriceps).
• Feet, hands, arms, abdomen

Muscle cramps range in intensity from a slight twitch or tic to severe pain. A cramped muscle can feel rock-hard and last a few seconds to several minutes or longer. It is not uncommon for cramps to ease up and then return several times before they go away entirely.


What Causes Muscle Cramps
The exact cause of muscle cramps is still unknown, but the theories most commonly cited include:

• Altered neuromuscular control
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte depletion
• Poor conditioning
• Muscle fatigue
• Doing a new activity Other factors that have been associated with muscle cramps include exercising in extreme heat. The belief is that muscle cramps are more common during exercise in the heat because sweat contains fluids as well as electrolyte (salt, potassium, magnesium and calcium). When these nutrients fall to certain levels, the incidence of muscle spasms increases. Because athletes are more likely to get cramps in the preseason, near the end of (or the night after) intense or prolonged exercise, some feel that a lack of conditioning results in cramps.
  
  
  Research Supports Altered Neuromuscular Control as the Cause of Cramps
  While all these theories are being studied, researchers are finding more evidence that the "altered neuromuscular control" hypothesis is the principal pathophysiological mechanism the leads to exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC). Altered neuromuscular control is often related to muscle fatigue and results in a disruption of muscle coordination and control. According to a review of the literature conducted by Martin Schwellnus from the University of Cape Town, the evidence supporting both the "electrolyte depletion" and "dehydration" hypotheses as the cause of muscle cramps is not convincing. He reviewed the available literature supporting these theories and found mostly anecdotal clinical observations and one small case-control study with only 10 subjects. He also found another four clinical prospective cohort studies that clearly did not support the "electrolyte depletion" and "dehydration" hypotheses as the cause of muscle cramps. In his review, Schwellnus concludes that the "electrolyte depletion" and "dehydration" hypotheses do not offer plausible pathophysiological mechanisms with supporting scientific evidence that could adequately explain the clinical presentation and management of exercise-associated muscle cramping.
  
  He goes on to write:
  
  
  "Scientific evidence for the "altered neuromuscular control" hypothesis is based on evidence from research studies in human models of muscle cramping, epidemiological studies in cramping athletes, and animal experimental data. Whilst it is clear that further evidence to support the "altered neuromuscular control" hypothesis is also required, research data are accumulating that support this as the principal pathophysiological mechanism for the aetiology of exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC)."​
  Treating Muscle Cramps
  Cramps usually go away on their own without treatment, but these tips appears to help speed the healing process:
  • Stop the activity that caused the cramp.
  • Gently stretch and massage the cramping muscle.
  • Hold the joint in a stretched position until the cramp stops.
  Preventing Muscle Cramps
  Until we learn the exact cause of muscle cramps, it will be difficult to say with any confidence how to prevent them. However, these tips are most recommended by experts and athletes alike:
  • Improve fitness and avoid muscle fatigue
  • Stretch regularly after exercise
  • Warm up before exercise
  • Stretch the calf muscle: In a standing lunge with both feet pointed forward, straighten the rear leg.
  • Stretch the hamstring muscle: Sit with one leg folded in and the other straight out, foot upright and toes and ankle relaxed. Lean forward slightly, touch foot of straightened leg. (Repeat with opposite leg.)
  • Stretch the quadriceps muscle: While standing, hold top of foot with opposite hand and gently pull heel toward buttocks. (Repeat with opposite leg.)
  Most muscle cramps are not serious. If your muscle cramps are severe, frequent, constant or of concern, see your doctor.
  
  [sub]Sources:[/sub]
  
  [sub]Cause of Exercise Associated Muscle Cramps (EAMC) - altered neuromuscular control, dehydration or electrolyte depletion? M. P. Schwellnus. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009; 43:401-408.[/sub]
  
  [sub]Muscle Cramp. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00200.[/sub]
  

 

[BearPear]

Thanks for the info, I think it is general lack of condition that is the problem, and I think I probably underestimated his weight!
I need to get him onto the canal or similar to build the enjoyment factor before he tackles the hills again, otherwise he'll never get on a bike again!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think most cycling cramp is due is due to 'lack of condition' rather than anything else, it's why there's a peak of 'Cramp' threads in spring and very few by Autumn, people leap on their bikes pedal like fury after a semi-dormant winter and suddenly cramp-up. I get them when we sytart club riding simply because I'm suddenly pushing harder then usual, after a few sessions it dissappears.
Tell the lad to spin rather than grind along, pedal the first 15 minutes gently to properly warm-up the CV system and the leg muscles. Also make sure he's not pedalling with his toes pointing down which unnecessarily works the calves. Make sure his legs are warm (protected from the cold), it may be summer but it's still cold.

 

[Stephenite]

I think teenagers get leg cramps anyways. I can't remember where i heard it from, but I know i certainly did.

In fact, i went through a phase a few months ago of getting leg cramps in the night (i'm 43 now at last reckoning). I've put it down to the effects of the sciatica i suffer from, from time to time. But i'm no expert. The pain can be excruciating, and i consoled myself with knowing it's not permanent and will soon go over. I wouldn't cry though (at least i'm not admitting it!), i would ROAR - Ernest Hemmingway fashion. Honestly, it's a better way of coping with the intense pain than internalising it and letting it get to you. Shouting out profanities through clenched teeth can help too! I'd encourage him to do it. Mano a mano, and a bit of male-bonding.

Also, make sure he has enough fluid and salts/electrolytes during and/or after the ride, he stretches before and after, and the bike's set up right. You could club together and get another bike so you can ride together.