People who exercise often experience muscle cramps. Research shows that 60% of cyclists experience cramps, along with 39% of marathon runners.

The best remedy, a recent study discovered, isn’t drinking water but something containing electrolytes. This helps to prevent muscle cramps from happening.

Electrolytes help to prevent muscle cramps

For best results, scientists recommend drinking fluid containing electrolytes during and after exercise. This made athletes in the experiment less susceptible to developing painful muscle spasms as compared to those who drank pure water.

Given how widespread it the condition among people doing sports, the results give hope to sufferers.

The common thinking is that it is dehydration that causes the painful spasms. However, study authors point out that in the experiment drinking pure water might have in fact made people more prone to cramping.

“This is likely because pure water dilutes the electrolyte concentration in our bodies and doesn’t replace what is lost during sweating,” said Professor Ken Nosaka from the Edith Cowan University, one of the authors of the research.

The reason for his interest in this field was the fact he was also suffering from the condition, while playing tennis.

In the study, 10 males had to run on a treadmill at a temperature of 35 degrees C for 40-60 minutes. This would cause them to lose 1,5-2% of their body weight through sweat.

The athletes were either given pure water or a drink containing electrolytes.

To induce cramps, participants were given electric stimulation on their calves. The lower was the frequency that caused cramps, the more prone they were to developing spasms.

The researchers discovered that a higher frequency was required to induce muscle spasms for people who consumer electrolytes as compared to those who drank water. Moreover, drinking water made people more prone to spasms.

Electrolytes

Those include minerals such as sodium (salt), potassium, magnesium, chloride. These minerals assist the body in absorbing water.

“Electrolytes are vital to good health — they help the body to absorb water more effectively than plain water and replace essential minerals lost through sweat or illness,” professor Nosaka said.

In hot conditions or when people sweat a lot, it’s best to use electrolytes for hydration. The same is applicable to people who are ill and suffer loss of liquid after vomiting or diarrhoea.

Rehydration solutions should include these essential minerals, to be effective.

When travelling, it may be wise to have with you soluble packets of electrolytes, which should be used with boiled or bottled water. Experienced travellers know how much relief it can provide and even be vital to avoid later problems.

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