Avoiding cramps

Published: 13 Mar 2007 - 02:38 by msmsql

Updated: 24 Sep 2008 - 16:54

Subscribers: Log in to subscribe to this post.

Hi all,

This is my first post to the forum, whose threads I've been following for quite some time. I have been playing at club level for a number of years but only recently (last year) started competing in the Italian national league, just so I can see what I'm worth - realistically I won't get anywhere as I am nearly 50 years old!

Trouble is, though I am in good shape and normally can keep playing for quite some time while training, and even outlast younger players during tournaments, after 4-5 matches and on the last day of the standard two-day event I will likely suffer from both leg and arm cramps which may well jeopardize an overall positive tournament (e.g. yesterday I was in the fifth game of the final, leading 6-0 when they arrived - I was feeling good otherwise, not tired though sweating profusely, and seriously risked losing - won 9-7 by clenching my teeth and enduring the pain).

I've tried anything from stretching (pre and post each match), to careful diet (lots of fruit and vegetables); I drink ipotonic beverages between matches and during play and also tried carnosine, creatine and BCAA supplements. All the above simply delays the inevitable, all the more frustrating since by this time I am quite near to the hard-earned result!

Moreover, I see others are not affected by the problem as I am, though they do not take my precautions, so in a way it must be me!

What are your experiences in the matter? Is there a way to avoid muscle cramps altogether, even for a limited (two days) time?

How to add images to Members' Forum posts and replies here...

Replies...

Please Note: The most recent replies are now at the top!

From adam_pberes - 17 Mar 2007 - 09:21

Supposably, Cramps are caused due to a mineral imbalance, So as Adz said, It is most likely you need to drink more water...

Not bottled water though. Go for tap water.

From rskting - 16 Mar 2007 - 15:36

Hi 50 year old. It sounds to me like you're doing everything right. I was very unfit as a teenager and would cramp alot. I found out later it was poor diet. But you seem to have a very good diet. I am now much fitter, but weekend tournaments are still brutal I find myself cramping on the last day's matches. My thoughts are:

1) more training is needed. I know a player in our club who does not have very good mechanics and is not a very good player, but runs marathons and can run all day on the court and play many many games. I think you need to train even harder. Or simulate tournaments and work out hard for 3 days then rest 3 days and repeat the cycle.

2) if more training is not possible then maximum potential is reached.

From Adz - 13 Mar 2007 - 22:26

You mentioned diet but didn't mention water. Keeping yourself hydrated is a must in avoiding cramps and just as important as stretching and diet. The worry is that you can make through to a fifth game before it sets in. This is due to muscle fatigue and means that you need to increase the muscles ability to deal with endurance events.

Try to do some interval training in order to increase endurance and hopefully this will make a huge difference to the crampng problems.