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 Calf cramp  |
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PaulB
30+ Posts
Reservoir, Vic
Australia
37 Posts |
 Posted - 08 February 2010 : 6:48:03 PM
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What is the best form of exercise to prevent calf cramp when diving?  |
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Jon
300+ Posts
Perth
Australia
389 Posts |
Posted - 08 February 2010 : 7:20:49 PM
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Standing and seated calf raises also running are the best exercise.. but as to the best way to prevent cramp..its generally due to lack of regular use/exercise of said muscle, so just use them.
quote:
Originally posted by PaulB
What is the best form of exercise to prevent calf cramp when diving?
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Edited by - Jon on 08 February 2010 7:24:22 PM |
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joti
30+ Posts
Australia
48 Posts |
Posted - 08 February 2010 : 8:12:53 PM
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| I think dehydration is a major factor also? Not to mention the DCS risk minimisation advantages as well |
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Link
Dive-Oz Supporter
Melbourne
Australia
943 Posts |
Posted - 08 February 2010 : 10:22:00 PM
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Hey Paul,
I feel your pain. I am the cramp king.
Best method I've found is to do some stretches right before the dive (there are lots who will say there is no evidence that stretching helps anything, but it works for me). I also keep well hydrated and eat a banana and drink a bottle of Gatorade pre-dive.
Also making sure my feet have enough wiggle room inside my boots helps.
As far as specific exercises go, I'd be looking more at flexibility rather than strength. Strengthening exercises will probably just make the muscles tighter.
Good luck. |
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aquaholic
150+ Posts
Perth
Australia
157 Posts |
Posted - 08 February 2010 : 10:43:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Link
and eat a banana
You take a banana on a boat? No wonder you get cramps.
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ahmondjai
150+ Posts
Runcorn, Brisbane
Australia
153 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 01:40:50 AM
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+1 for the warm up stretches~ as well as keeping the body hydrated,
plus I was reading some article about cramps a while ago, if I remember correctly, magnesium intake is also on the list. |
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jaycee
30+ Posts
Coburg
Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 08:42:55 AM
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I suffered a lot from cramps when I started diving. I bought split fins and the problem went away - you hardly feel them on your feet in comparison to normal blade fins.
I know lots of divers are opposed to them, but I reckon if they make your diving more enjoyable then it may be worth a try. Maybe borrow a pair from someone and see what you think of them. |
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Link
Dive-Oz Supporter
Melbourne
Australia
943 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 09:18:32 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by aquaholic
quote:
Originally posted by Link
and eat a banana
You take a banana on a boat? No wonder you get cramps.
Pre-dive. Usually in the car on the way down. Never on the boat - I'm not crazy. I'm well aware that the ice-berg story was just a cover and that the Titanic disaster was actually caused by an ignorant passenger taking a banana aboard in their hand luggage. |
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PaulB
30+ Posts
Reservoir, Vic
Australia
37 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 10:04:09 AM
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| I walk everyday, swim twice a week, keep well hydrated, have tried magnesium supplements but still get them. Usually it happens about 45 min into a shore / pier dive (mainly on the underwater swim back to the point of entry), starts in one calf, then transfers to the other. Fin stretches help but not always. Im using aqualung blades 2 fins. |
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burna
600+ Posts
Melbourne VIC
Australia
825 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 1:36:47 PM
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I thought it was potassium (not magnesium) that was good for cramps??
That's where Link's banana comes in, they're loaded with it.
Also, keep warm. My legs start to cramp when they cool down too much. |
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Link
Dive-Oz Supporter
Melbourne
Australia
943 Posts |
Posted - 09 February 2010 : 1:59:38 PM
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OK - can everybody please stop talking about my banana?
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gtscott
300+ Posts
Sydney (hurstville)
Australia
354 Posts |
Posted - 11 February 2010 : 11:28:01 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by burna
I thought it was potassium (not magnesium) that was good for cramps??
That's where Link's banana comes in, they're loaded with it.
i thought it was ment to be protein they were loaded with? |
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PaulB
30+ Posts
Reservoir, Vic
Australia
37 Posts |
Posted - 21 February 2010 : 9:16:21 PM
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Thanks for all the suggestions
Tried a bottle of Gatorade pre-dive today and did alot of finning around St Leonards pier with no calf cramp.  |
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Dave
Dive-Oz Supporter 2008
Melbourne
Australia
3327 Posts |
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PaulB
30+ Posts
Reservoir, Vic
Australia
37 Posts |
Posted - 21 February 2010 : 11:18:21 PM
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| Hi Dave, thanks for the link, have been taking these for a while but they didn't stop the cramps. |
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Calf cramp |
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