General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cramping feet while swimming Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-11-08 7:47 PM

User image

Regular
75
252525
Subject: Cramping feet while swimming
I'm having problems with foot cramps while swimming...

Specifically, my toes make the "Spock" sign (I'm not even kidding) - they kind of go in two opposite directions and it hurts like hell.  I got in my car afterwards and couldn't even drive, I had to hold my toes together with one hand and drive with another.

Help...????


2010-11-08 7:56 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Master
1346
100010010010025
Gold Coast
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
Sorry, I'm no help here, just piggybacking on your thread. I have had badly cramping feet when swimming a few times too and I would love to know how to fix it.
2010-11-09 8:31 AM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Pro
6191
50001000100252525
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I have this problem sometimes, too.

1. Hydration
2. Potassium (the trainer in college yelled at me and said I needed to eat more bananas)
3. Stretching/Massage (http://www.athletestreatingathletes.com/self-muscle-massage-series/self-muscle-massage-pt-9-the-foot/)
2010-11-09 11:04 AM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Regular
75
252525
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
Thanks!  That video was really instructive.  I think I'll give that a try for a while to see if I feel improvements.

I noticed that the respondents so far are ladies - so I'm curious to test a theory that a PT gave to me once, she said that some of the cramping could be caused when I wear heels all day and go straight from wearing heels to exercise. 

Could be true, but my heels aren't excessive (2" to 3").

Just curious if that was the case for others...
2010-11-09 11:21 AM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Elite
3515
20001000500
Romeoville, Il
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I've had these issues too. Very frustrating. After a year of playing around trying to narrow down the cause and solution, I've found 2 things:

1. This is a direct result of swim fitness that will pass as you get better and swim more.
2. Drinking 24 oz of Heed (Hammer Nutrition Product) in an hour or 2 before I swim makes this much much better.

hope that helps you!

and no, I don't where heels all day! LOL

Edited by Meulen 2010-11-09 11:22 AM
2010-11-09 5:08 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Master
1346
100010010010025
Gold Coast
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming

As far as heels go I don't wear them often, Im tall and usually live in flats so I don't think thats it in my case.

I can believe the potassium thing and also my swimming fitness IS poor because I hate it. Must swim more!



2010-11-11 5:02 PM
in reply to: #3202806

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
Meulen - 2010-11-09 11:21 AM I've had these issues too. Very frustrating. After a year of playing around trying to narrow down the cause and solution, I've found 2 things: 1. This is a direct result of swim fitness that will pass as you get better and swim more. 2. Drinking 24 oz of Heed (Hammer Nutrition Product) in an hour or 2 before I swim makes this much much better. hope that helps you! and no, I don't where heels all day! LOL


#1 on your list does not apply to me at all. Been a swimmer all my life and have always gotten foot cramps. Even in the peak of IM training this summer.

For ME, it has helped to focus on pushing off the wall with even distribution on the foot. I tend to naturally push off with my toes, which is what usually sets off the cramps.
2010-11-12 6:35 AM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Expert
906
500100100100100
Prattville, AL
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I will take it one step further... not only do I get toes cramps while swimming but I also get horrible cramps in my insteps... especially when doing kicking drills... toe pointing is the culprit for me... agree that hydration, massage and potentially increased potassium will help... hopefully better swim fitness will help as well... you are not alone!
2010-11-21 12:41 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
Push off gently from the wall
Learn a 2 beat kick which will emphasize timing and rotation rather than furious kicking to generate propulsion
Get out of the heels...the are so bad for you. Feet are not designed for heels and IMO they are pure vanity. (I wear them RARELY like to a special function only when I want to "fit in" to the dress up crowd for a few hours.)
2010-12-13 3:14 PM
in reply to: #3202806

Member
5

Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I used to have this problem after swimming for 45mins to an hour but it seems to have gone away now after my fitness has improved and probably also my technique. Annoyingly I would also get it in the middle of the night. I suspect that I eat better now so perhaps that is why it has gone away?

Not very useful I know, just my experience with the problem
2010-12-13 3:59 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Pro
4360
200020001001001002525
Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
Pretty much same as above:

Well no help on the heels but for me less caffeine before the swim, potassium (banana's, OJ, or supplements), go lighter on the wall push off and better fitness has helped me.  I used to cramp all the time during masters swims, now I rarely do and it is usually on high caffeine days.




2010-12-13 6:08 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Champion
9407
500020002000100100100100
Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
While hydration and electrolytes often get the blame, typically cramping while swimming will be related to one of three things:

1)  Fitness;
2)  Pushing too hard off the wall; and
3)  Excessive plantar flexion.

Shane
2011-01-10 1:29 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Member
34
25
Huntington Beach, CA
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I know I'm late coming into this thread, but I just read it.
I had the same issue, and what I do to eliminate the problem is to eat an extra banana, and I also flex by toes and foot a little bit while I sit on the edge of the pool right before I go in.  My thinking is that I get my feet warmed up for the swim.  Don't know if it's true or not, but it seems to be helping me. 
2011-01-10 2:29 PM
in reply to: #3201859

User image

Extreme Veteran
584
500252525
Daphne, AL
Subject: RE: Cramping feet while swimming
I agree with the ladies above. I have the same issue no matter how much I swim....and I notice that mine is directly related to two things:
1- how hard I am pushing off the wall
2- how relaxed my toes are while kicking
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cramping feet while swimming Rss Feed