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A muscle contraction is a change in the length or tension of a muscle that exerts a mechanical force on the muscle attachment sites or around an organ surrounded by a circular muscle.
Cramps – breakdown
Muscle cramps are divided into two groups. In the first, they are classified as:
- isotonic – the length of the muscle changes with a constant level of muscle tone (the result of contraction is movement),
- isometric – the muscle tension increases with a constant length (the result is not movement, but keeping a part of the body in a fixed position, e.g. unscrewing tightly screwed screws, standing, holding loads, it may shiver),
- auxotonic – change in the length and tension of the muscles (e.g. when walking, running).
The second group of classifications muscle contraction divides them according to the frequency of nerve impulses reaching the muscle:
- single – triggered by a single nerve or electrical impulse followed by a muscle relaxation; the duration of the contraction is very short – several to several dozen milliseconds;
- tetanus – impulses arrive in a time shorter than the relaxation of the muscle;
- incomplete tetanus – impulses reach the muscle in a time longer than contraction, i.e. when the muscle begins to relax. All a person’s muscles act like these most of the time;
- complete tetanus contraction – stimuli stimulate the muscle at intervals shorter than the duration of a single contraction, i.e. before the relaxation begins.
Cramps – causes of their formation
Reasons why they appear muscle cramps, they can be very different and often their regular occurrence is a symptom of a disease or medical condition.
Calf cramps they are often found in athletes and pregnant women. The muscle fibers tighten, making the peroneal and gastrocnemius muscles harden. Calf cramps can be the result of a poor diet lacking sodium, potassium (maintains the proper functioning of the neuromuscular system), calcium and magnesium (supports nerve conduction), and can also be caused by excessive coffee, the use of diuretics, laxatives and preparations that deplete the body electrolytes. To reduce calf cramps, try the Calf & Ankle Compression Sleeve – OS1st FS6 + available in black, white, pink or yellow. The band works well with overloads, improves blood flow and reduces pain.
Leg cramps may indicate disorders of the acid-base and mineral balance of the blood caused by an inadequate diet, diuretics, weight loss drugs from an unreliable source and frequent drinking of strong coffee, which flushes potassium and magnesium out of the body.
Muscle cramps the body can also be a sign of great fatigue – this is especially true of people exercising, because this is how overtraining makes itself felt – as well as overheating or dehydration of the body. Prolonged sedation also causes unpleasant muscle contractions.
Cramps – What To Do When We Have Them?
The most important thing with leg cramps is to take a comfortable position – it is best to lie down with your legs higher than the rest of your body. If contractions appear frequently, it is worth limiting coffee consumption and using soothing gels and ointments. It is also recommended to massage the muscles, e.g. with the FASCIQ ROLLERCOASTER Massage Roller Set.
If you are unsure whether you are consuming the right amount of magnesium and potassium, you should buy the right supplements.
In the case of cramps, it is worth drinking herbs regularly to support the functioning of bones, joints and muscles. Try Na Skurcze – herbal and fruit tea from Herbapol in Krakow, which you can buy at Medonet Market. You can also make yourself wraps using Visiomed Thermotherapy Gel Compress. Of course, it is also worth visiting a doctor with this problem.