A cramp in your calf from cycling can cause you to take an unwanted break during the middle of a bike ride. Calf cramps are among the most common type of cramps and cause pain because of an involuntary tightening of your calf muscle. Treatment for calf cramps involves resting the muscle and improving conditioning and nutrition.
Symptoms
A cramped muscle feels hard and tight and may bulge noticeably under the skin of your calf. You may notice also notice that the muscle twitches under your skin. Cramps may be accompanied by severe pain. Cramping may improve after a few minutes or may last 15 minutes or longer, with cramps coming in waves.
Causes
Cycling, or any intense activity that works the muscles, can cause calf cramping. You may be more likely to develop cramps if your muscles aren't yet accustomed to cycling or if you ride longer or harder than usual. Cramps commonly occur three or four hours into a long ride or race. No matter how well-conditioned your muscles, you may still develop cramps because of your age. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that older people are more susceptible to muscle cramps because of normal muscle loss that begins in the mid-40s and accelerates with inactivity.
You may also experience cramps if you cycle in hot weather and don't replace fluids, minerals and salt lost when you perspire. Depletion of fluids, minerals and salt may result in muscle spasms that can lead to cramping.
Treatment
Stretching out the calf muscle with your hand may help relieve cramping. Massaging the muscle when you feel the first twinges of spasm or cramp may prevent an intense cramp from developing. Using heat on your muscle may help it relax. Ice and over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve pain, although in severe cases, your doctor may recommend that you take a prescription medication to prevent spasms.
Prevention
Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your rides can help condition your muscles to cycling and reduce cramping. Stretching your calf muscles before you cycle may also help prevent cramping from tight muscles. Drinking sports drinks containing potassium and other minerals can help replace fluids and nutrients lost in sweat. MedlinePlus recommends eating bananas and drinking orange juice to increase your potassium level.
Warning
Although muscle cramps aren't usually a sign of a serious medical problem, see your doctor if home treatment methods don't reduce cramping, if calf cramps occur often or are particularly painful. In some cases, cramps may be caused by such diseases as thyroid disease, irritation of spinal nerves, hardening of the arteries, infections, kidney disease, metabolic conditions, spinal canal narrowing, cirrhosis of the liver or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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