Putting on my physiology hat here....electrolyte deficiencies, such as potassium, can contribute to muscle cramps. But, cardiac muscle contractions rely on similar electrolyte concentrations. Thus, electrolyte deficiencies severe enough to generate skeletal muscle cramps often generate cardiac arrhythmia as well. Regular muscle cramps are much more likely to occur because you run out of the "fuel," (eg. sugars and fatty acids) necessary to generate ATP. The energy molecule ATP, powers muscle contraction, but it is also required to "unlock" muscle fibers after the contraction cycle. Thus running low on ATP is a contributor to muscle cramps because a low concentration of the molecule in muscle fiber contributes to the inability of the muscles to relax. Folks often say that bananas reduce muscle cramps because they are rich in potassium. It's far more likely that just the additional fruit sugars help. So your best bet is to get a good fitting fin that is not overly stiff for you, making sure that your legs are well conditioned, staying hydrated and making sure that you got plenty of carbs the night before and morning of diving.
Fins and leg cramps..any relation? Need help.
- Thread starter okiediver1961
- Start date
-
- Tags
- cramps
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Putting on my physiology hat here....electrolyte deficiencies, such as potassium, can contribute to muscle cramps. But, cardiac muscle contractions rely on similar electrolyte concentrations. Thus, electrolyte deficiencies severe enough to generate skeletal muscle cramps often generate cardiac arrhythmia as well. Regular muscle cramps are much more likely to occur because you run out of the "fuel," (eg. sugars and fatty acids) necessary to generate ATP. The energy molecule ATP, powers muscle contraction, but it is also required to "unlock" muscle fibers after the contraction cycle. Thus running low on ATP is a contributor to muscle cramps because a low concentration of the molecule in muscle fiber contributes to the inability of the muscles to relax. Folks often say that bananas reduce muscle cramps because they are rich in potassium. It's far more likely that just the additional fruit sugars help. So your best bet is to get a good fitting fin that is not overly stiff for you, making sure that your legs are well conditioned, staying hydrated and making sure that you got plenty of carbs the night before and morning of diving.
- Messages
- 16,402
- Reaction score
- 5,219
- # of dives
- 1000 - 2499
RyanT, I think what you're saying may point to the fact that everybody is different regarding exact physiology. Obviously you know much more than me on the subject. Though I think of my diet as being pretty good and well rounded, must admit I'm not exactly sure how many carbs I get prior to diving. Regarding Bananas and potassium vs. bananas and additional fruit sugars, I don't know. I'd still vote for the potassium thing. Bananas are maybe one of two foods in the world I really don't much like, but when I started taking those potassium pills my cramps stopped--bang, just like that.
Yet Lorenzoid found that potassium and several other supplements didn't help. Everyone's different I guess.
Yet Lorenzoid found that potassium and several other supplements didn't help. Everyone's different I guess.
That's your culprit.
Potassium didn't help me. Changing fins did. I'm totally against split fins but there are other fins like Mares Volos and Mares X-tremes that will give you that assistance without having to go to a split fin.
You might also consider adding a supplement of Coenzyme Q10.
(Friends don't let friends wear split fins. Just say "No" to split fins!)
You might also consider adding a supplement of Coenzyme Q10.
(Friends don't let friends wear split fins. Just say "No" to split fins!)
Last edited:
OP
okiediver1961
Contributor
I have tried the banana thing, doesn't work (and I love nanners too!)
I feel like my fins fit me very well, I have a narrow foot and there is no movement in the foot bed at all--I used to wear booties but with all the travel weight restrictions I have pared down the weight and honestly don't know why I didn't try full fins sooner, they are so much easier on a dive boat. Pebbles, that is some interesting reading....so am I reading that right in that I need to be pointing my toes when doing leg exercises? I seem to remember now that some cramps do happen when finning with toes pointed--and you are telling me focus more on bending the knees. Interesting! Thanks so much!
I feel like my fins fit me very well, I have a narrow foot and there is no movement in the foot bed at all--I used to wear booties but with all the travel weight restrictions I have pared down the weight and honestly don't know why I didn't try full fins sooner, they are so much easier on a dive boat. Pebbles, that is some interesting reading....so am I reading that right in that I need to be pointing my toes when doing leg exercises? I seem to remember now that some cramps do happen when finning with toes pointed--and you are telling me focus more on bending the knees. Interesting! Thanks so much!
Hi Tom: Potassium is the electrolyte that repolarizes (e.g. resets) muscle cells for another contraction cycle. A potassium deficiency is more likely to generate muscle fatigue/weakness than actual cramps. Likewise, this is why potassium levels low enough to cause problems with your skeletal muscles are often associated with heart arrhythmias as well. I would not be surprised that if when you started taking potassium supplements, you may have also changed your overall diet or hydration state.
Now with all of that said, you are absolutely correct!
There is a lot of variation in physiology among individuals and we still don't have a full understanding of why muscle cramps occur. At the end of the day if you find that supplements do the trick for you, then that's what matters!
Now with all of that said, you are absolutely correct!
There is a lot of variation in physiology among individuals and we still don't have a full understanding of why muscle cramps occur. At the end of the day if you find that supplements do the trick for you, then that's what matters!
CuzzA
Wetwork for Hire
Proper fin fit is obvious, but my thoughts are working out your legs will be by far the best way to overcome this.
If your legs are trained and stronger to endure the resistance from the water on your fin over the course of a dive you shouldn't have any problems... Assuming you've consumed enough water and food. Jogging, running and all of your typical leg excersizes and stretches will pay off. I've never experienced leg cramping and I would attribute that to keeping my legs fit.
Aside from the already mentioned bicycling, a simple calf workout will really help. Reps until it burns and then do 10 more.
If your legs are trained and stronger to endure the resistance from the water on your fin over the course of a dive you shouldn't have any problems... Assuming you've consumed enough water and food. Jogging, running and all of your typical leg excersizes and stretches will pay off. I've never experienced leg cramping and I would attribute that to keeping my legs fit.
Aside from the already mentioned bicycling, a simple calf workout will really help. Reps until it burns and then do 10 more.
Although supplements, bananas, etc., didn't help my cramps, any of you nutritionists out there have an opinion of the relative merits of other foods that are also high in potassium, such as coconut water, orange juice, raisins, dates, and dried apricots? (Just the result of some quick Googling.) Bananas are usually the first food we think of when we think potassium, but that's mainly because compared with the alternatives bananas are plentiful, cheap, tasty, and convenient to pack and eat. I mean, what other food comes in its own natural wrapper!
Frog Kick. Problem solved.
Similar threads
