A nightmare for many runners, muscle cramps have long been associated with dehydration. Several hydration cocktails with an array of electrolytes are available on the market to overcome this so-called deficiency. Unfortunately, the real cause of muscle cramps is not yet clear to the scientific community. It would seem that the most probable hypothesis is that they are the result of neuromuscular fatigue. Neuromuscular fatigue occurs during prolonged physical activity. It affects the electrical circuits that communicate with the muscles, disrupting the normal functioning of these circuits and causing muscle cramps.
Now, let’s see how we can avoid them. Once again, there is no such thing as a miracle solution, but physical preparation remains the key. Indeed, sport-specific physical training is recommended in order to increase the endurance of your muscles and consequently delay the onset of muscle fatigue. For running, performing squats, lunges, and jumps in combination with progressive running training is the best way to run without having to worry about cramps!
