Painful, paralysing and PB-unfriendly, cramps can strike at any time. "There's no one definitive cause," saysDr Steve Ingham, head of physiology at the English Institute of Sport (eis2win.co.uk). Research in the Muscle & Nerve Journal shows

Q My quadriceps always cramp up when I run marathons, even though I hydrate well and stretch regularly. Why is this, and what should I do?A Exercise-induced muscle cramps are relatively common among distance runners. Quadricep cramps typically

Q I was disappointed to get cramp at the 15-mile mark during a recent marathon. In the 48 hours before the race, I consumed plenty of carbohydrates and drank approximately four to five litres of water. During the race I drank plenty of water

Q If I try to run any further than a mile, my left calf tightens up and cramps very quickly. It’s so painful I simply have to stop. As you can imagine, I’m at my wit’s end, what’s wrong?A Pain in the calves can be caused by many different

later) I suffered horrible cramps in both calves. I put this down to overtraining, so three weeks before my next marathon I eased down and did a lot of stretching. Despite this, I started cramping even sooner than before – at around 18 miles. I think I

Q I was on target for a time of around 3:30 after 20 miles of this year’s Flora London Marathon, when I was hit by cramp. It started at the top of one leg, but soon moved to both legs. Half a mile from the finish, my legs locked completely and I

As many as 39 per cent of distance runners may experience a cramp in their calves, hamstrings or quadriceps before they finish a race. While many people blame dehydration, Kevin Miller, an exercise scientist at North Dakota State University, US

After cramp struck at 21 miles the next five miles were going to be slow, dragging my leg along, and the weather was getting even hotter! The race was going well and everything was on target until cramp struck like a knife in my thigh; as soon

What to do if you... ...get a stitchWhat's going on? Stitches are caused by the diaphragm cramping, creating a sharp pain under the lower edge of the ribcage. On inhalation, we take air into our lungs pressing the diaphragm downward. When we exhale

close to your physiological limit and forces you to slow down. Cure Ease up soon – or it's game over.LEG CRAMPS Ouch Your muscles are seizing up big time. Science Electrical impulses in the muscles have gone haywire, causing rapid contractions