Cramping in the pool

Causes:  probably all of the above.

Cure:  Short term:  When it starts to happen (try to catch it early and you'll recover much faster) pause, work it out, stretch if that helps, then cautiously continue.  Long term:  keep swimming.

Same thing happened to me, and still does when I try something more intense than before (especially more intense kicking, especially with any kind of fins on, and especially after a harder run or bike workout).  The more I swim, the less it happens.

It is dehydration.  I had cramping once when I was swimming with my masters team and my coach said that it was due to that.

 p.s. I agree completely with RNH re feeling effects!

It is not likely due to hydration; although hydration is most often blamed for cramping, it is often not the cause.

More than likely, you over swam your condition, especially when it comes to kicking with fins.  When ramping up their swimming, many athletes will suffer cramps of the legs/feet because they are pushing harder then their fitness would allow.

The cure is to keep swimming, I would watch how hard you push off the wall and limit your time in fins if possible.

Shane

I hope that hydration helps.  I doubt it will.  But if you are chronically dehydrated, then, of course, you should drink (water!).

The link between hydration and cramping is at best complex, and at worst a perpetuated myth.  There are plenty of studies to support various views, from 'no link at all' (e.g., this one ) to 'may delay onset but does not prevent and is not the sole cause' (e.g., this one ).  A common theme amongst studies (such as this one ) is that the two biggest risk factors are previous history (sorry), and fatigue.  You can't do anything about your previous history, but you can do something about fatigue -- train yourself to get fatigued less and later.

If you look at studies or claims of a strong link between hydration and cramping, you'll often find that behind them there is (a) nothing, or (b) a sports drink company.  (I have nothing against sports drinks.  I use them.)

Many people can feel a cramp coming on, and prevent it from happening by pausing and stretching, and perhaps changing the workout in some helpful way (stop the kicking drills and do some pulling for a while would be an obvious example). This is absolutely better than letting it happen, not only because you don't have to suffer from the cramp, but because a severe cramp can leave you with soreness for the next couple of days, and this can effect training.  So it is worthwhile learning what it feels like just before the cramp really hits.