Cramp in feet when swimming

[JumboBeef]

I used to be a very good swimmer. No really: lifeguard, SCUBA, high board diving.

Fast forward 20 years, now a bit of a bloater and I have just taken up swimming again. Not doing *too* bad but I keep getting cramp in my feet of all places. It makes my toes curl up or bend in stupid directions.

I also sometimes get cramp in my feet sitting on the sofa. Nowhere else, just on that one particular sofa

Any ideas please? (apart from stop swimming or change the sofa!)

[XG332]

I also get this, but it usually leads to the worst calf cramp i get.
Not very helpful when i was swimming in the middle of a huge lake last month. I had to drown myself to the edge and sort it. I didnt cry honest.

[driverrob]

I used to get that a lot when swimming. Getting older, generally not enough exercise, smoking for too many years = poor circulation.

[XG332]

http://www.swim-city.com/library.php3?id=119

[Ordinary_Chap]

I was under the impression cramps can often be cured and are sometimes caused by dehydration and not getting the correct vitimins in your diet.

Also cramps can be caused by sitting or standing in odd positions that cause muscle inbalances.

I just thought I'd google the cause of them and this article;

http://www.medicinenet.com/muscle_cramps/article.h...

Seems to have some good ideas.

If I was you I'd do this as a test;

- Take a good multi-vitim for a few weeks like wellman or the like - In case you're lacking a vitimin from your diet.

- Drink much more water, particularly on the day you're going swimming on.

- Drink a good energy drink before training, most places have these in the vending machines.

Either try one or all together to see if you notice any difference.

If not then I'd go see the doc and see what he suggests.

[JumboBeef]

Thanks! Some very useful info there.

It seems I need to relax and drink more water (oh and get fitter).

I'm going swimming again tomorrow, I'll see how I get on.

Thanks again.

[Matt_N]

I always suffer with cramps for the first few times I go surfing each year, both in my feet and my legs. I just put it down to muscles etc not being used to the kind of exercise they are doing as I don't swim any other time.

I'd say they'll go after a few days / weeks of regular swimming, but no harm in taking some vitamins etc if you're a bit lacking.

[kit_kat]

I occasionally get cramp in my feet when doing kicking drills but I try to swim through it (until it gets to painful). I swim 3 times a week (very intense sessions) and when I sleep at night I usually wake up with the most excruciating cramp in both calves, I have tried drinking more water and eating more salt and bananas (someone told me that would help) but it doesn't.

Edited by kit_kat on Monday 20th September 10:29

[XG332]

have you tried stretching the muscle before you go into bed. I get it alot when i camp during hiking trips.

Its horrible waking up at 3am in a field getting double cramp in the calvs in a tight sleeping bad that you cannot stretch out in.
You have to ride it out.

[grumbledoak]

I either get it as the middle toe(s) trying to curl in, or my calves trying to tear my foot off.

Salt. Either too little, or salt balance. Have half a banana every day for potassium, and if that doesn't work try a small amount of sea* salt in some water.

---

• NB. Not table salt, that is processed to remove basically all the minerals. Sea salt, unsurprisingly given our history, has about the right mix of potassium/sodium.

[10JH]

I get it too. Only time I ever get cramp.

Slightly annoying, but have learnt where to hold my foot with my hand to make the pain go away quickly.

Edited by 10JH on Tuesday 21st September 00:51

[Mulder]

I swam competitivly for about 10 years until recently and got cramp all the time, especially during the last races of the night. Can't stop during a race, so I got used to it in training and always just carried on if it was toes or calf as soon enough it will loosen itself up. The worst I ever had was cramp in my thigh and hamstring at the same time somehow - I pulled some interesting maneuvers sorting that one out. No matter what I drink or take it's there, though strangely enough I get cramp in my jaw and biceps sometimes as well.

[turbolucy]

10JH said:

I get it too. Only time I ever get cramp.

Edited by 10JH on Tuesday 21st September 00:51

Me too!

[dave_s13]

Magnesium supplement is another one to try.

200mg 3x daily for 2 weeks then reduce to 100mg 3x daily.

Tonic water is another one (quinine).

[alfa pint]

Add me to the list!

I only get cramp when I'm swimming, just every now and then. Usually in a foot or one of my middle toes.

I don't add salt to my food, although I do use it for cooking. I find that if I add a tiny pinch of salt to my water I can't taste it and the cramps stop / decrease.