Muscle cramps can be easily avoided (providing you don't have a serious
medical condition) by stretching prior to the climb and maintaining adequate
electrolyte and water levels in your body. Under strain, your muscles
excrete lactic acid which saps them of energy, eventually causing cramps,
spasms or possible injury.
Obviously the better shape your in the less likely you are to have cramping
problems.
A good preventative measure is to drink plenty of fluids before and during
the climb. Especially during the hot summer months. Any of the popular
sports drinks such as Gatorade, Cytomax etc. are designed to replaced lost
electrolytes to prevent muscle fatigue. A bottle in the tool bucket, and a
good swig every 15 minutes or so should prevent most muscle cramping
problems.
73 -- Jim W1UK
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
|