I used to get cramps no matter how many bananas I ate... what fixed it for me is calf raises. I do them every day and I hardly ever get cramps anymore.
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nanners. eat mo nanners.
Cramp in this situation is generally due to technique issues. I suspect that you are working too hard on the back kick, possibly with the wrong movements. This means that you're working opposing muscles at the same time, and that leads to cramp. The back kick should be really slow and relaxed. There isn't really any power used in a back kick, so it shouldn't cause to you cramp.
Maybe get someone to video you doing it, and then we can advise more.
HTH
John
I would also look into technique, in addition to nutrition/hydration. If the cramp only shows up during the back kick, not during other kicks, it’s more likely a technique issue.
Why do you constantly need to back kick? Are you back kicking into a (strong) current? If there is no or little current, and you need to back kick constantly, that would indicate that you are doing some other movements that propel you forward. That results in the need for a back kick to compensate.
The other thing is back kick effectiveness and efficiency, which also is a result of technique. When I started with tech, I would also need to kick all the time to stay in one spot, and it was really hard back kicking work to move backwards against a current. Now, after C2 (full cave) and T1 (Trimix), it’s just one slow but powerful back kick and I can glide backwards several meters.
So I would agree, try to get someone to video you and it would be easier to point out specific things.
I have to agree with John. On occasion, I will swim laps around the pool using a back kick. As long as the kick is slow, deliberate, and I'm not trying to power it or go for speed, it doesn't have any detrimental physical effects. I have had students come and tell me they got cramps in the calf, ankle, and even toe cramps trying to do a back kick. When we get in the pool, unless they are using split fins (I can back kick quite effectively in atomic splits), it clearly is all about technique and trying to make the foot and fins do something they don't want to do.Cramp in this situation is generally due to technique issues. I suspect that you are working too hard on the back kick, possibly with the wrong movements. This means that you're working opposing muscles at the same time, and that leads to cramp. The back kick should be really slow and relaxed. There isn't really any power used in a back kick, so it shouldn't cause to you cramp.
Maybe get someone to video you doing it, and then we can advise more.
HTH
John
If you are moving forward between kicks it is technique. Putting too much effort into the loading for the kick and likely the fin tips are dropping or folding up due to too much power resulting in forward motion.I eat reguarly 1-2 bananas per day, so I ruled out magnesium.
Technique may well be an issue. I just completed my rec fundies recently (one of the cramp situations was after some minutes of continuous practice, the other in a liveaboard immediately after).
I will try to get someone to record the current state of my backward kick for analysis (I suspect I am working too hard due to unitentional forward movements between kicks).
...(I suspect I am working too hard due to unitentional forward movements between kicks).
I give no medical advice of course, but being very prone to cramping due to heredity, I ended the cramping while diving by taking a daily potassium pill as recommended by my doctor. Other Dr.s say potassium pills can be no good for you, so I recommend getting info. from a Dr. that is right for you. I no longer take them, and rarely cramp now. My Dr. says it may be because being on high blood pressure pills by itself helps prevent cramps. Bananas are good--if you like them--AND if you don't mind pretty much eating them every day.....Bananas, Potassium and/or Magnesium supplements, hydration, and my miracle cure if you are in an area that has it cheap enough...coconut water (pineapple flavored please). We will usually freeze several and throw them in the dry bag. By the surface interval they are perfectly ice cold.
It seems that after getting warm during the surface interval, then dropping back in, I am prone to insane groin and hamstring cramps. Loading up on several coconut waters and bananas on the SI really helps.
Good luck.
Jay