Muscle cramps are a special consideration for swimmers, since not being able to move might mean drowning. However, if you understand the facts about how muscle cramps happen, you'll be able to prevent them or keep them from turning into a more serious problem if you do happen to get one.
Misconceptions
Many people believe you shouldn't swim for an hour after eating and that doing so causes muscle cramps and creates a drowning risk. While the body does pull blood away from your muscles when you're digesting a meal, a light meal before a relaxing swim shouldn't cause any problems, according to Dr. Moira Davenport, a sports medicine specialist quoted by AARP. However, Dr Davenport warns that vigorous exercise right after a heavy meal could cause nausea or vomiting.
Causes
Eating right before swimming may not cause muscle cramps, but you might want to have some water or a sports drink. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of exercise-induced muscle cramps. You could also suffer a cramp if you swim while you're injured or overexert yourself, or if you are low in minerals such as calcium or potassium, which are typically present in sports drinks.
Symptoms and Treatment
Regardless of the cause, if you get a muscle cramp, you'll know it. The symptoms include a sudden muscle contraction accompanied by pain. The pain may be mild to severe, and may interfere with your ability to get out of the water. Don't be ashamed to yell for the lifeguard to assist you; that's what they're there for. Once you're out of the water, stretch and massage the affected area and apply a heat pack to help the muscles relax. See a doctor if you're still in pain after a day or so.
Prevention
The best way to deal with a muscle cramp is to avoid it in the first place. You can prevent muscle cramps by taking a few common-sense precautions, such as staying hydrated, stretching before you swim, and adapting your activity to your fitness level. If you start to feel overly tired or feel your muscles starting to twitch, stop and walk or slowly swim to the side of the pool, then stretch. These precautions will ensure that you can enjoy lots of time at the pool without muscle cramps interfering with your fun.
