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Post by willblack on Nov 22, 2017 9:25:38 GMT -7
I'm at the end of my PE phase/beginning of performance phase and I'm currently dieting. I've been dieting for about a month and have lost ten pounds and will probably shoot to lose 5 more or so in the next three weeks before school ends and my real performance phase starts. Overall it's gone really well and I feel like I've done a good job of losing weight without seeing any negative effects on my training or recovery. However, the past two times I've climbed outside I've developed weird cramps in my forearms at the end of the day. These cramps appear in the area of the forearm extensor muscles and are surprisingly intense. Once I come down from the route the cramping continues when my elbows are bent and it feels like I need to create about 20 pounds of force to straighten my arms. When my arms are straight the cramps disappear, but if I flex my forearms again the cramps start again. Eventually the cramps lessen to the point where they are still present but don't prevent me from climbing. This has never happened before and I'm wondering if it might have something to do with my dieting. Has anyone else experienced this? Any helpful solutions?
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Post by jonfrisby on Nov 22, 2017 9:33:52 GMT -7
How is your hydration/sodium intake?
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Post by willblack on Nov 22, 2017 9:45:06 GMT -7
I drink a ton of water and I doubt I need more sodium
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Post by erick on Nov 22, 2017 10:05:26 GMT -7
I have a similar problem when climbing at areas with long endurance routes which require a lot of lock offs. I had this problem really badly on an onsight attempt at the end of a day of hard climbing at Smith one time. I barely completed the route since each time I would pull in my arm would cramp and freeze in this position and it was painful to straighten it out. I never have figured out what the cause is, my hydration has always been good and I eat pretty well at the crag so I just take it to be a sign that my body is done for the day and I call it quits when this starts. This usually happens before my fingers are completely fried so it is like a nice self limiting thing that prevents me from ruining my fingers. So I have not really worried about it too much.
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Post by scojo on Nov 22, 2017 16:16:06 GMT -7
Same things happens to me! Does it happen in the muscle downstream of the lateral part of your elbow?
What erick describes is pretty much what happens to me. Often, it'll go away, and I can keep climbing. Sometimes it ruins my redpoint/onsight attempts. I don't really have a good solution. Massaging the area seems provide some relief, but doesn't completely resolve the issue.
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 22, 2017 17:35:17 GMT -7
Are you guys stretching your forearms after every training session?
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Post by scojo on Nov 22, 2017 18:03:59 GMT -7
Are you guys stretching your forearms after every training session? No. Although I don't really know how to stretch the specific muscle that cramps.
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Post by erick on Nov 22, 2017 22:12:16 GMT -7
Are you guys stretching your forearms after every training session? Yes sir! This never happens during training thought. For me it is exclusively a performance day problem. Only happens when i have been working at my limit during the day.
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 23, 2017 10:10:33 GMT -7
Are you guys stretching your forearms after every training session? No. Although I don't really know how to stretch the specific muscle that cramps. Try RCTM p178, lower right photo. If that doesn't work, be creative.
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 23, 2017 10:11:01 GMT -7
Are you guys stretching your forearms after every training session? Yes sir! This never happens during training thought. For me it is exclusively a performance day problem. Only happens when i have been working at my limit during the day. Maybe its a hydration issue for you?
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Post by erick on Nov 23, 2017 22:19:51 GMT -7
Yes sir! This never happens during training thought. For me it is exclusively a performance day problem. Only happens when i have been working at my limit during the day. Maybe its a hydration issue for you? Its possible, I try to make hydration a priority but I also only have this problem at the end of the day after I have finished all my water.
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Post by scojo on Nov 23, 2017 23:09:19 GMT -7
My guess is that it's just muscular fatigue (not dehydration or electrolyte imbalance). I might do an experiment to see what kind of ameliorating effect massage/stretching/other recovery activities have.
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Post by Fred on Nov 24, 2017 10:25:49 GMT -7
I have the same issues: cramping in the extensors of the forearms during climbing. For me, it seems to happen more often when I haven't done antagonist training in a long time (dumbell reverse wrist curl and exercise with an elastic to work the extensors).
Hope it can helps you
Fred
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Post by Djunk on Dec 14, 2017 7:35:42 GMT -7
This is most likely an electrolyte imbalance, espeacially if you are dieting low carb, I am pretty deep into Low Carb High fat and when you eat this way you lose a lot of electrolytes as your body dumps glycogen stores/water. Not a big deal at all as it is easily countered by adding sea salt to your water for the day. Do not got to traditional electrolyte drinks like Gatorade as they have very little electrolytes and tins of sugars. I was cramping all the time and since adding more salt to my water I haven't had any cramps while climbing.
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