Muscle spasms, sometimes called muscle cramps, can be debilitating when they strike. They are usually the product of muscle overexertion, and may occur in response to a muscle injury. Some muscle spasms can develop when you are dehydrated or have low levels of minerals such as potassium and calcium in your body. Intense exercise and high temperatures can make this more likely. Exercise is usually not a good idea once a spasm initially strikes, although exercise may help the injury heal and prevent recurrence.
Muscle Spasm Causes
It is common for muscle spasms to occur during exercise, when many of the factors contributing to spasms are present. Other factors besides exercise can also increase your risk of developing muscle spasms during exercise or even while inactive. According to the National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus website, these include alcoholism, kidney failure, various medications, problems in metabolizing nutrients, and pregnancy.
Effects of Exercise
Intense exercise affects the muscles in two ways related to spasms. First, exercise drains the muscles of water and important minerals. The loss of these resources makes it difficult for the muscles to function normally. Exercise also fatigues the muscles, causing the fibers to lose elasticity and strength. If the muscles become overexerted, spasms or cramps may occur as a precursor, or even a response, to a muscle strain.
Immediate Treatment
Initially, further exercise of the spasmodic muscle will only do further damage to the fibers. Stop the exercise or whatever other activity may have caused the spasm. Take your weight off the muscle so that it can slowly relax. Facilitate this relaxation by gently stretching and massaging the muscle. Do not try to extend or move the muscle when it is suffering a spasm. Apply heat to help relax the muscle until you can move it without pain.
Stretching and Prevention
Performing stretching exercises on the area can slowly ease it back into its normal range of motion without tearing the muscle fibers and creating muscle strain. You can also use stretching to prevent future occurrences of muscle spasms. Performing light exercises like walking or jogging can also warm up your muscles for intense exercise, reducing your risk of muscle spasms or cramps.
