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The Effect of 5% Hypohydration on Muscle Cramp Threshold Frequency

Many clinicians believe exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMC) occur because of dehydration and electrolyte losses. Experimental research supporting this theory is lacking. Mild hypohydration (3% body mass loss) does not alter cramp threshold frequency (TF), a measure of cramp susceptibility, when fatigue and exercise intensity are controlled. No experimental research has examined TF following significant (3-5% body mass loss) or serious hypohydration (>5% body mass loss). TF and blood variables of ten subjects were measured pre-post exercise. Subjects exercised in an environmental heat chamber alternating between upper arm ergometry and non-dominant leg cycling every 15 minutes until they lost 5% of their body mass or were too exhausted to continue. Significant (n=5) or serious hypohydration (n=5) did not alter cramp TF, cramp intensity, or cramp EMG amplitude. Significant and serious hypohydration with moderate electrolyte losses does not alter cramp susceptibility when fatigue and exercise intensity are controlled.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ndsu.edu/oai:library.ndsu.edu:10365/26557
Date January 2012
CreatorsBraulick, Kyle William
PublisherNorth Dakota State University
Source SetsNorth Dakota State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext/thesis
Formatapplication/pdf
RightsNDSU Policy 190.6.2, https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

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