If I havent convinced you yet of the importance of Strength & Conditioning, heres another reason why. One of the biggest myths in the running world: Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances Cause cramps! If electrolyte loss causes cramps, why do they all seem to happen in muscles under stress—say, your calf or hamstring—and not in your neck? Further, there’s a lower concentration of salt in sweat than in blood, so sweating actually increases the body’s electrolyte concentration, which means a salty Gatorade won’t save you. “Muscle cramping is related to fatigue, not an electrolyte imbalance,” says Dr. Marty Hoffman, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of California at Davis, who oversees the Ultrarunners Longitudinal Tracking Study. So what’s really happening? Martin Schwellnus, the leading researcher on the topic, has a theory: your nervous system controls the contraction of muscles and is responsible for protecting them against too much load or stretching. During fatigue, some of the neurons fire too much, others not enough. The result is a cramp. Hot weather might add to the problem. Once an athlete’s internal temperature hits about 105 degrees, the brain starts to shut things down to prevent heatstroke, which can lead to cramping. Bigger athletes are more susceptible to heat because they have less surface area relative to their volume. That’s why marathoners are tiny—and why LeBron James famously cramped when the AC went out during the 2014 NBA Finals. The Takeaway: Let thirst be your hydration guide; overworked muscles are what lead to cramps, not electrolyte imbalance. And be aware of your fitness to avoid pushing too hard. If you trained to run a 1:30 half marathon, don’t go out at a 1:15 pace. Become a STRONG, UNBREAKABLE runner!
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:38:46 +0000
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