Key result
Volitionally induced muscle cramps significantly lowered cramp threshold frequency from a baseline of 18 Hz to 14 Hz at 5, 30, and 60 minutes post-cramp (P<0.05).
Why the study?
Does a volitionally induced muscle cramp lower cramp threshold frequency in cramp-prone participants?
Does a volitionally induced muscle cramp lower cramp threshold frequency in cramp-prone participants?
Absolute Event Rate: 14% vs 18%
p-value: p=<0.05
Acute volitionally induced muscle cramps increase cramp susceptibility for at least 60 minutes, suggesting treatments should be applied for this duration to decrease recurrence probability.
May heighten susceptibility ≥60 min post-cramp; leaves open whether timed interventions reduce recurrence in prone individuals.
Introduction Muscle cramping may increase peripheral nervous system excitability. It is unknown if, and how long, cramp susceptibility is affected by previous cramping. We tested whether volitionally induced muscle cramps (VIMCs) lowered cramp threshold frequency (TFc) and how long TFc was affected post‐VIMC. Methods Fifteen cramp‐prone participants volitionally induced a flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) cramp on 4 separate days. FHB TFc was measured before VIMC (i.e., baseline) and 5, 30, and 60 min post‐VIMC. VIMC electromyography (EMG) amplitude, VIMC duration, and perceived VIMC intensity were measured to ensure consistency of VIMC between days. Results VIMC EMG amplitude, duration, and perceived intensity were similar between days (P > 0.05). VIMC lowered TFc; baseline TFc (18 ± 6 Hz) was higher than 5‐min (14 ± 6 Hz), 30‐min (14 ± 5 Hz), and 60‐min TFc (14 ± 5 Hz; P < 0.05). Discussion Acute VIMCs increase cramp susceptibility. Clinicians should apply treatments for at least 60 min postcramp to decrease the probability of cramp recurrence. Muscle Nerve 56: E95–E99, 2017
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Miller et al. (2017) studied Muscle cramping (n=15). Volitionally induced muscle cramps (VIMCs) vs. Baseline (before VIMC) was evaluated on Cramp threshold frequency (TFc) (p=<0.05). Volitionally induced muscle cramps significantly lowered cramp threshold frequency from a baseline of 18 Hz to 14 Hz at 5, 30, and 60 minutes post-cramp (P<0.05).
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