Perhaps nothing can curtail a cardio workout faster than muscle spasms. The degree of pain will vary with the muscles involved. Most times, they are temporary conditions that go away gradually as the body stabilizes. Cardio workouts can trigger muscle spasms when you exercise too strenuously. However, you can also experience similar pain if you keep muscles fixed in one position. If you shovel or rake for prolonged periods, muscle spasms may occur in your arms or hands.
Overtraining
Muscle spasms during cardio workouts can occur simply because you are overtaxing your muscles. Muscles depend upon the cardiovascular system to deliver adequate amounts of energy and oxygen. Your cardiovascular fitness is a limiting factor to how efficiently it can keep up with your body's demands. If you push yourself too hard, the muscles may spasm. The movement is involuntary and can be painful in some cases, depending upon the area of the body involved. Muscle spasms can also cause delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS. DOMS is the muscle ache you feel after exercising.
Contributing Factors
Getting to the point of muscle spasms during cardio workouts can be influenced by other factors. Being out of shape, for example, may compromise your body's ability to adapt to the activity. Over time, the body of a fit individual adapts to deliver more oxygen more efficiently to the body's cells. Another factor is your level of hydration. If you are dehydrated, your body may not have the necessary electrolytes to drive normal nervous activity. Electrolytes are charged particles in the body, such as sodium and potassium, that become depleted when you perspire.
Diagnosis
Because muscle spasms can have other more-serious causes, you should discuss this issue with your doctor. She may order tests to determine an underlying cause such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis. She will likely begin with a detailed history including any patterns you notice while doing your cardio workouts. Your doctor will also want you to describe your muscle spasms including where they occur in your body and how long they last.
Prevention
To prevent muscle spasms, you should begin your cardio workouts with light aerobic exercise. If a spasm occurs, you may find some relief by stretching the muscle gently. You can also use over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the pain. If these medications don't work, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants. Pain is a signal from your body to take notice, whether that means to slow down or investigate another cause.
References
- ABC News: What Causes Muscle Spasms And What Is The Best Way To Treat Muscle Spasms?
- "Strength Training for Women"; L. Incledon; 2004
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; G. Tortora et al; 2005
- Medline Plus: Muscle Cramps
- Spine-Health: Muscle Spasm
