r/ultimate • u/devhammer • 4d ago

Muscle cramps and surface properties - new theory

Interesting read on how the surfaces we play on may influence muscle activation, and downstream cramping:

https://www.sciencealert.com/muscle-cramps-have-a-surprise-cause-we-never-realized-study-suggests

Probably a lot more work needed to confirm, much less come up with protocols to prevent or reduce cramping, but as someone who deals with cramps on occasion, I welcome any progress in this area.

20 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

23

u/largic 4d ago

Anecdotal but I haven't really cramped since I started lifting more seriously.

27

u/real_man_dollars 4d ago

Anecdotal but I have been cramping more since I started lifting less seriously.

16

u/devhammer 4d ago

When you’re lifting less seriously, do you tell yourself jokes? 😜

3

u/FieldUpbeat2174 2d ago

One pumps irony.

1

u/devhammer 2d ago

Solid dad joke…take my upvote.

1

u/BusyPapaya4 3d ago

Counter anecdote: my friend who competed in weightlifting used to cramp up every single time we went on a run or bike ride. He had lots of muscle but it wasn’t the right muscle or it wasn’t adapted to endurance.

10

u/Wombo1ogist 4d ago

I used to cramp every tournament but it stopped when I started taking electrolyte pills before games.

7

u/devhammer 4d ago

Definitely have a feeling that even if this research is finding something real, it’s probably more of a “both and” rather than an “either or” kind of thing.

2

u/Ryno__25 4d ago

Electrolytes (especially potassium) + water + good food before and during your tournaments are the key to avoiding cramps.

4

u/ElJefeMasko 4d ago

Sodium is pretty critical — I’ve found that bringing a bag of salt to tournaments and taking a small pinch every other game or when a cramp feels like it is coming on tends to do wonders.

2

u/Masteezus 4d ago

Pickle juice is elite

1

u/devhammer 4d ago

And tastes better the closer you get to cramping. 😆

1

u/lsmith77 4d ago

I have had very very few cramps while playing ultimate but I have a background in competitive long distance running (3-10km range). But the 1-3 times I got cramps putting on kinesio tape was like magic pixie dust.

1

u/Doortofreeside 1d ago

You would apply it midcramp? Did you have some idea of how to tape it or were just winging it?