If yes, you probably still remember the sudden, tight and intense pain caused by a muscle locked in spasm. A cramp is an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. Muscles that span two joints are most prone to cramping. Cramps can involve part or all of a muscle, or several muscles in a group. Cramps in the feet, hands, arms, abdomen and along the rib cage are also very common.
Muscle cramps range in intensity from a slight tic to agonizing pain.
A cramp can last a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer. It might recur multiple times before it goes away. A regular program of stretching lengthens muscle fibers so they can contract and tighten more vigorously when you exercise. When your body is poorly conditioned, you are more likely to experience muscle fatigue, which can alter spinal neural reflex activity. Overexertion depletes a muscle s oxygen supply, leading to build up of waste product and spasm.