AboutBrad Walker (The Stretch Coach) Expertise I'm more than happy to answer any questions relating to stretching and flexibility. Including how to use stretching to improve your athletic performance, prevent sports injury and aid in the recovery of sports injury.
Experience I'm an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. And the founder of (The Stretching Institute).
Organizations Sports Medicine Australia
Publications I've written 5 books on stretching, flexibility and sports injury, including... The Stretching Handbook (ISBN: 978-0958109338), The Anatomy of Stretching (ISBN: 978-1556435966) and The Anatomy of Sports Injuries (ISBN: 978-1556436666). Plus, I've had numerous articles published at About.com, Athletes.com and BodyBuilding.com.
Education/Credentials I'm a health science graduate of the University of New England, with post graduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. I've worked with elite level and world champion athletes and I lecture for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Past/Present Clients I've worked as assistant coach to Miles Stewart (World Champion Triathlete) and Mick Doohan (World 500cc Motorcycle Champion). Plus I've worked with countless other athletes from sports as diverse as roller-skating, squash, and cycling.
Question Brad...I am a fellow expert in the flooring section and from time to time I use this service myself. My question is a bit embarrassing as I have weight trained nearly all my life but I'm not a kid anymore for sure. I live in Colorado and during the Summer months I climb the Fourteeners here trying to head out every other week. Today I climbed another and as is our custom we try and do a "tune-up" climb prior to the Season beginning next weekend....at least for us. I was struggling on the way up close to the Summit with leg cramps in my quads, I am familiar with this particular happening. I bought two bananas' but they were too green and could only eat half of the first one and only 3 bites of the second about 4 hours later. This is around the time I usually cramp. I worked through these and made it to the summit. We rested for about 45 minutes and headed back down. About a third of the way down I experienced a cramp like I have never known. I looked up the muscle I suspected was the culprit and it is along the location of the diagram that I saw. The muscle is the "Sartorius"?? This weird muscle began to cramp, and to be honest Brad, I simply didn't know how to stretch it out. No position that I tried to get into returned any results. To be honest I was getting a little scared that I would need some outside help getting off the mountain. After about 20 minutes it subsided and though I knew it was there I didn't have a repeat of the incident. I know that when you reach the summit you are only "half way" done, and the downhill portion is nearly as demanding. I drink plenty of water to stay hydrated but not sure if I waited too long between drinks this time. What does this muscle do and what should I do to prevent this scenario from laying me low again...holy cow did it have my exclusive attention but didn't know what to do to fix it. What do you think?
Answer Hi Perry
Thanks for your inquiry. It's a pleasure to help and I hope the following is beneficial.
There are a number of factors that contribute to muscle cramps and spasms, the main ones being:
* Poor flexibility and tight muscles;
* Muscle fatigue and overuse;
* Dehydration; and
* Electrolyte and mineral depletion.
It sounds like you're doing the right things concerning hydration, but there's a few more suggestions at the article below that will help. Electrolyte and mineral replacement should be a priority fro you. http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/muscle-cramp.php
If the sartorius is the problem (and it could be a combination of a few muscles within that hip/quad area) there are quite a few stretches that will help.
* Any groin stretch with straight legs. So sitting on the ground with your legs out in front and then move them wider apart.
* Any quad stretch that forces the hips forward. So kneeling on one knee with your other foot out in front, then push your hips forward.
