Why do i get leg cramps when i swim?

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise, but sometimes leg cramps can ruin a perfectly good workout. It’s frustrating to be pushing yourself through the water, and then suddenly feel a sharp pain in your calf or thigh that stops you dead in your tracks. So why do we get leg cramps when we swim? Let’s dive into some possible causes.

Dark side of swimming

If you’re new to swimming or haven’t been for a dip in ages, it’s essential to know the dark side it holds beyond drowning – swimmer’s itch, waterborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery – they’re all lurking not too far below the surface!

Add leg cramps to that list because while being submersed may seem innocent enough more than likely its hideous wrath has firmly taken hold inside.

Dehydration Is The Culprit

Which one came first..depression or dehydration? Nobody knows!

However well hydrated our bodies are under normal circumstances; diving into water gets differently affected by skin hydration than other factors – yep call it aqua-induced keratosis diffusa (I just made that up).

One of the most common culprits behind muscle cramps is dehydration: when we get dehydrated (through sweating excessively, for instance), our muscles become more vulnerable to cramping. This principle applies equally whether we’re on land or submerged beneath water.

What’s worse ,salt-water pools increases likelihood of getting dehydration as compared fresh-water pools due high salt content leading resulting  loss fluid levels from body which could lead and trigger off-leg fatigue during prolonged time spent underwater.

To stay fighting strong against these ghastly creatures guzzling down H20 pre- and post-swim would go miles ,caffeine shots not so much!

Lack Of Warm-Up Routines

There’s a scientific explanation behind those groans and muscle weariness following intense physical activity – Lactic acid builds up in the muscles, whenever we exercise (even casually) without warming up or cooling down but reaping rewards post workout.

Overshooting headstrong into high intensity exercises without performing warm-up can cause cramps. It increases muscular metabolic processes which aren’t always compensated adequately enough, therefore leading to pains experienced.

Despite popular persuasions on what an ideal stretch sequence constitutes of there are diverse routines proven for effectiveness: from dynamic stretching arm windmills and lunges; ballistic stretching like skipping or jumping. The goal is to get blood flowing through your muscles.

Insufficient Nutrition Levels

Your body gobbles up nutrients like magnets ; however long hours under water may deprive it of crucial electrolytes needed for healthy bodily functions,

Sudden changes in temperature between waters might also do more damage than good by decreasing blood-sugar levels necessary enough to keep energy going during prolonged activity underwater.

Organizing food strategies such meals consisting of potassium rich bananas ,salmon,char-grilled turkey breasts low-fat yoghurt’s packed with magnesium essential amino acids etc are keys that can unlock formulating effective recovery methods to ward off the hazard posed by leg cramps.

We wanted action! I could see NOW was the only option..

Pre-empt Cramp Disaster- Strikes Before Heats Take Hold!

Beery people you absolutely cannot indulge before swimming .

There’s so much work involved getting legs back into motion whilst sober imagine sloshing beer induced knees/flexibility issues begging slumber popping bubbles?

Enough said never drink alcohol before going swimming because dehydration is inevitable when consumed it .

Stretch prior jump-start circulation swatting gnats away with vigor drop chin neck stretches ensure proper oxygenation.To sum this pre-swimming experts recommend jogging lightly around pool deck ensuring full-body mobility as opposed solely focusing one area before plunging into water.

Are You Ready To Tackle Those Leg Cramps

You know clearly that you’re not married to those horrid leg cramps and now it’s time for action. Rather than throwing a tantrum (which is, of course, understandable) there are highly suggested ways which might fix the problem quicker than you think:

Potassium Rich Foods: The Magic Element

We touched on potassium earlier but this mineral plays an integral role in muscular health – reducing muscle stiffness leading to becoming more pliable/flexible leading eventual prevention of cramps.

So next time load your plate with yoghurt’s and cottage cheese, dried beans or almonds.In case bananas/grapes aren’t really preferred options use alternative fruits like Pomegranate seeds or Coconut Water high in notable amounts …not just a viral trend!

Magnesium Supplements: Added Bonus

Another priority element that amplifies contracting/relaxing muscles happens to be magnesium found largely available over counters as dietary supplements along food rich sources like  spinach ,whole grain breads ,avocadoes ..

Consider supplementing diet habits/vitamins not only does it lower inflammation levels overall but other benefits such energy provisions all-round boosting general health speeding up recovery rates following arduous workouts.

Bobbing On Your Back Is Top-notch Post-swimming

Swimming itself zaps strength caloric toll immense hence ought suggest savour moments grappling onto poolside wall edges after finishing off enthusiastic strides.Will recommend when cramping occurs especially common calf-muscle pain ;epitomized squeezing toes towards hips while seated on pool ledge resulting constant mellow skin clapping over surface without disturbing breathing constants.

Massage Into Action Worthy Muscles Just By Self-joint Rolling

Yes its worth considering rolling out any tightness building up pretty frequently – ensure whenever legs feel wonky sore engage in roller mobility exercises triggering receptors responsible activating healing mechanisms inside muscles/directly impacting strength/recovery.

Take deep breathes whilst lying on your back with a foam-roller sliding it underneath calves; pressing heels into floor then lift rear slowly at same time.Slide roller down toward the ankles pausing whenever feel intense clutching leg/knee folds right before rolling downwards/upwards .

As expected results do show up quickly within few days only if routine followed stockpiling requisite allowances for fixes where none existed prior identifying factors involved here.

Conclusion

As swimmer sprints across super-heated sun-baked poolside what’s important is recognizing best means available to prevent muscle cramps from occurring. Proper hydration levels will ward off dehydration, and both warming up and cooling down are essential elements along consumption potassium-rich magnesium-enriched foods diets guarantee prevention of muscular pain/cramping …more natural as opposed medical cures since people swear by them &they come without prescriptions +gummy sweetness rather than horse tablets!

Other practices worth noting include usage :stretch bands ;foam rollers aimed reducing inflammation inside joints while soothing tense spasms that inevitably arising through vigorous strokes present during underwater activity.Finally remember swimming long term requires effort but maintaining a healthy diet/exercise regime eases aggressive footings hurdles in place physical limitations experienced under-water all thanks to modern day ingenuity.