Runners who suffered muscle cramps after a 35 mile race had similar serum sodium, potassium and glucose levels as well as similar hydration status compared to a runner with no cramps. If you are going to drink alcohol, be sure to eat a high carbohydrate diet. Recovery carbohydrates are important not only for endurance athletes, but also for those who train for strength. For all you Breathe Rite fans, three researchers reported no performance benefits with using these nasal strips. This demonstrates yet another example of how we should not believe every ad we see in popular sports magazines.
Leg cramps can bring even the best player to the ground in pain.
There are several suggestions for avoiding cramps. Drink plenty of fluids before exercise. Eat high potassium foods such as bananas. Recent research in South Africa suggests that the best way to avoid cramps is to spend 15 minutes stretching before competition with emphasis on the problem area. Although everyone stretches before competition, most don't spend 15 minutes.