Abstract :Muscle cramps associated with exercise are common. Also common are myths about why cramps occur and how to treat them. Medical research has not yet discovered the pathophysiology of these cramps. What is known is what does and does not work to stop them.
Common thinking, even among professionals, is that cramps are caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Unfortunately these assumptions are incorrect and do not hold up to scientific scrutiny.
Cramps occur in tired muscles. They are successfully treated by stretching the affected muscles. They are also frequently treated successfully by ingesting spicy liquids such as pickle juice. Research into the neurological control of cramps is ongoing and may prove to be the best avenue toward understanding this phenomenon.