What are cramps?

Most people have experienced painful cramps in calves or thighs. Cramps occur when the muscles suddenly contract sharply, and they can last for anything from a few seconds to several minutes. The condition typically arises during and after physical exercise and occurs more often with age.

Muscle fibres Signals that make the muscle contract 2 The muscle includes fibres that measure the condition of the muscle. The fibres are signalling pathways that tell the nerve if the muscle needs to relax or contract. 3 If the muscle is overburdened,...