Have you ever experienced that sudden, painful muscle contraction during a sports event? Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) are painful, spasmodic, and involuntary contractions of skeletal muscle that occur during or immediately after exercise with no underlying medical condition.

What Research Shows About Exercise Cramps
A study on marathon medical issues found that cramping accounted for 6.1% of medical encounters, with 1.2 cases per 1000 participants. However, exercise-associated muscle cramps are common in many vigorous sports activities.
For years, many believed cramps were primarily caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The theory suggested that excessive sweating leads to:

- Loss of interstitial fluid volume
- Deficits in sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and potassium

However, recent research points to a different primary cause: altered neuromuscular control due to fatigue. This explains why:

- Cramps typically occur only in working muscles
- Stretching provides immediate relief
- Many athletes with significant electrolyte losses don't experience cramps

The neuromuscular fatigue theory suggests that muscle overload creates an imbalance between excitatory signals from muscle spindles and inhibitory signals to alpha motor neurons. When muscles contract in a shortened position, signaling from Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) decreases, which is why stretching works so effectively as treatment.

Common Risk Factors
Several factors increase your risk of experiencing exercise-related cramps:

- Previous history of exercise cramps
- Family history of cramping
- Specific collagen gene variations
- Being male (possibly due to higher ratios of fast-twitch muscle fibers)
- Higher exercise intensity and duration
- Cramp-prone athletes show higher rates of tendon or ligament injuries

Effective Prevention and Treatment
While salt tablets and magnesium supplements are commonly used, they lack strong scientific evidence. Research supports these approaches:

- Strengthening agonist muscles (like strengthening glutes for cramp-prone hamstrings)
- Kinesiotaping and compression garments to increase local blood flow
- Massage therapy to alter neural excitability
- Pickle juice consumption (about 1ml per kg body weight)
- Stretching - the most effective treatment for acute cramping

Our Products That Help Prevent and Relieve Cramps
1. KEDLEY Compression Socks
Our compression socks apply graduated pressure to your lower legs, helping to maintain blood flow and reduce discomfort and swelling. The four-way stretch design provides uniform compression around affected areas, while the breathable knit ensures your skin stays dry but warm.
I've personally tested these compression socks during my training sessions and can confirm they've significantly reduced my cramping issues. They're perfect for athletes, people who stand all day at work, and anyone looking to prevent exercise-related cramps.

2. KEDLEY Kinesiology Tape
Designed to mirror human skin for comfort and effectiveness, our kinesiology tape helps with the alignment of weak muscles and joints. When properly applied, the elastic qualities of this tape create skin convolutions that increase local blood flow—directly addressing a key factor in preventing muscle cramps during exercise.

3. PERNATON® Gel Forte
This specialized gel contains green-lipped mussel extract (a source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids) and creates a pleasant warming sensation that:

- Supports muscle relaxation
- Stimulates blood circulation when massaged into affected areas
- Contains high-grade Glycosaminoglycans (GAG), a naturally occurring Glucosamine
- Can be applied to neck, back, legs, and shoulders several times a day
PERNATON® Gel Forte is perfect for massaging into muscles before or after activity to help prevent and relieve cramping.

Remember:
Exercise-related muscle cramps differ from nocturnal cramps and require specific prevention and treatment approaches. By understanding the true causes of exercise cramps and using proven solutions like KEDLEY compression socks, KEDLEY kinesiology tape, and PERNATON® Gel Forte, you can minimize discomfort and maximize your athletic performance.

(source: MUSCLE CRAMPS EXPLAINED by Science - physiotutors) 

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