Week 2 - Acute Muscle Cramps & Doms

Question 1

What is EAMC

Answer 1

Exercise associated muscle cramps

Question 2

What are the symptoms of EAMC?

Answer 2

• painful, spasmodic, involuntary contractions
• 1-3 minute duration
• late in game or post exercise

Question 3

Common sites for EAMC?

Answer 3

• calf (gastrocnemius)
• foot ( intrinsic muscles)
• thigh (quads and Hamstrings)

Question 4

What are the causes for EAMC?

Answer 4

• no underlying metabolic, neurological, or endocrine disease
• no benefit of “specific” pre-exercise fluid & electrolyte intake
• no significant association between history of stretching and EAMC
• some individuals more predisposed
• doesn’t seem to be dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
• may be altered neuromuscular control (alpha motor neurons have increased excitation and decreased inhibition from golgi tendon organs)

Question 5

What is the best EAMC management?

Answer 5

• passive stretching (may increase tension in golgi tendon organ leads is reflex inhibition to increase afferent reflex inhibition to alpha motor neuron
• symptomatic relief within 10-20 seconds - maintain stretch until fasciculation ceases
• pickle juice - due to activation of oralphyrangeal reflex - reduces alpha motor neuron activity

Question 6

What are DOMS?

Answer 6

• delayed onset muscle soreness
• soreness following vigorous, unaccustomed exercises
• 24-48 hours after exercise, particularly eccentric actions
• downhill running & skiing common cause in untrained individuals
• complex process - microtrauma of muscle cells and connective tissue followed by local inflammatory process within extra cellular space which sensitises nerve endings

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of DOMS?

Answer 7

• pain
• local muscle swelling/muscle stiffness
• muscle strength deficits
• elevated plasma creatine kinase (marker of muscle breakdown)

Question 8

How to deal with DOMS?

Answer 8

• during symptomatic period (up to 10 days) modify exercise regime
• massage, cryotherapy, stretching, active recovery may provide relief
• curcumin (turmeric) may reduce inflammation and pain by modulating inflammation and cytokine flux by influencing COX-2 signalling
• protective effects conferred by repeated (preparatory/sub maximal) eccentric bouts