Cramps are an involuntary spasm in the belly of the muscle which results in pain and tightness in the affected area. Frequent calf cramps may occur as a result of overuse, moving suddenly after long periods of inactivity or electrolyte imbalances....
You're in the middle of your fourth lap when you experience a severe pain in your calf and you're unable to finish your swim until the pain is gone. Although rarely serious, calf cramps are still an annoying burden. Everyone has experienced a...
A calf cramp signals involuntary muscle contractions. Sometimes caused by neurological disorders or diabetes, calf cramps are frequently brought on by muscle fatigue and sodium depletion, especially in the competitive or elite athlete whose...
Muscle cramps can take place in any area of the body, but they most often occur in the quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles of the thigh or calf, according to Medline Plus. When a muscle cramps, it contracts and fails to return to a...
Calf cramps, also called charley horses, are involuntary contractions of the muscles in the lower leg. Calf cramps can affect anyone at any time, although the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that some people are more susceptible...
Muscle cramps during and after exercising are fairly common, and the calf muscle is one of the most frequently affected. Though anyone can experience cramping, young children, people over 65, people who are overweight and those who overexert...
Although people older than 65 and those who are overweight or ill are most susceptible to cramps in the calves while exercising, they can happen to anyone. Calf cramps while biking or running can be painful and debilitating, making it difficult to...
Have you ever worked out so hard that you're suddenly awoken in the middle of the night by excruciating pain in your calf muscle? It's like you have a gigantic metal clamp tightly attached to the back of your lower leg. You might try to move your...
Bicycling takes leg strength and can sometimes lead to cramping. Muscle cramps are quick contractions that happen for many reasons. When you are bike riding, it is probably from overuse of the calf muscles. Handling the pain correctly will get you...
Leg and calf cramps are a relatively common experience for well-seasoned and novice athletes alike, but they are not considered healthy or normal. By taking a few precautionary steps, many muscle cramps can be prevented. If, however, taking...
A calf muscle cramp, or a sudden involuntary contraction of the calf muscle, after running may have several causes, including dehydration, mineral loss and overuse. Muscle cramps are very common and almost everyone will experience a muscle cramp...
Stretching first thing in the morning is one of the best tricks to get your blood flowing, increase energy and prepare your muscles to go to work, according to FitnessTipsforLife.com. Calf stretches are especially helpful because many people get...
Calf cramps are a common manifestation of leg cramps, caused by typically by dehydration or overuse of the calf muscles. Treatments for breast cancer can also cause leg cramps, as can alcoholism or hypothyroidism. Contact your physician if the...
Leg and foot cramps can sneak up on you at any time, whether swimming in a triathlon or just spending time at the lake with friends and family. These painful muscle issues can be dangerous if they occur at the wrong time, especially in deep water....
Cramps are involuntary contractions of one or muscles that affect nearly everyone at some point, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Calf cramps, which are sometimes called charley horses, may occur in the lower legs...
Injuries that can cause calf muscle cramps and foot numbness while running include chronic exertional compartment syndrome and a deep vein thrombosis. Poor conditioning, obesity and muscle tightness can increase your risk of experiencing an injury...
A banana is a healthy snack. It is easy to eat and provides minerals. Bananas are an especially good snack for athletes, because they're easy to transport, and the carbohydrates give a quick energy boost. Bananas also prevent cramping and help...
Your triceps surae is more commonly known as your calf. It is actually composed of two muscles, the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles connect the back of your foot to the back of your upper leg. They are necessary for movements integral...
Your calf muscles are located on the back part of your lower legs. Calves have an upper portion known as the gastrocnemius, or gastroc, and a lower portion known as the soleus. When these muscles become tight, cramps often develop. You generally...
Creatine supplements are a multimillion dollar business that begin in the mid-1990s and today continues to be popular with athletes and bodybuilders because of the positive effects on muscle gain and sports performance. Although creatine...
Bananas offer you a convenient, low-calorie food in a portable package. Athletes often use bananas as a way to boost their energy and help prevent their muscles from cramping during competitions or other sports events. The New York University...
Unlike a muscle cramp in your calf, a blood clot in your leg--a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT--requires emergency medical attention as a potentially life-threatening problem. People who suffer blood clots sometimes confuse the symptoms with those...
Calf muscle cramps from exercise, often called "charlie horses," can vary in intensity and last from a couple of seconds to as long as 15 minutes or more. These uncomfortable yet common spasms may be caused by a number of factors, from dehydration...
Calf muscle cramps can strike just when you've established a good pace on the treadmill. Because calf cramps occur when you are running or walking, many of the same things that cause cramps when you exercise outdoors also cause cramps when you use...
Stretching is good for your muscles and is even used to help rehabilitate injured muscles. Pain while stretching can be confusing. Cramps could be by your stretching technique itself or, if they occur during a post-workout stretch, from your...
The exact cause of calf muscle cramps is still not certain, but several factors appear to trigger cramping. For example, if you're dehydrated, lack some crucial body salts, push yourself too hard or are simply a little older, you're more likely to...
Muscle cramps may put a kink in your workout routine. When you try to walk or run, your calf muscle may involuntarily contract, causing a muscle cramp. Muscle cramps may be painful -- so uncomfortable, in fact, that you may have to stop...
Nearly everyone has experienced leg cramps -- especially cramps of the calf and toes -- at one point in time. Yet no one knows precisely why cramps occur. Calf cramps often happen near the end of strenuous exercise, especially when you use your...
Leg cramps are described as involuntary muscle contractions that cause intense pain. Leg cramps can affect any part of the leg, but they usually involve your calf muscles. The exact cause varies from person to person, but muscle fatigue,...
Muscle spasms and cramps are often harmless but can accompany serious medical conditions. Learn about spasms and cramps in this medical video.
