There is no more perplexing problem for athletes than cramps.
Muscles seem to knot up at the worst possible times during important and hard-fought competitions.
The real problem is that no one knows what causes them. There are theories. The most popular ones are that muscle cramps result from dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. These arguments seem to make sense-at least on the surface. Cramps are most common in the heat of the summer when low body-fluid levels and decreases in body salts due to sweating are likely to occur.