The Risk of Cramps Caused by Ground Types: It's Not Just About Hydration! The Science of How Ground Affects Cramps During Exercise

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) are often attributed to "dehydration and electrolyte deficiency," but recent perspectives emphasize the importance of the nature of the playing "surface" and acclimatization to it. Sudden exposure to courts or fields with different hardness and rebound characteristics can disrupt the balance of muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs, accelerating neuromuscular fatigue and leading to cramps. In fact, studies have reported that muscle activity can change by 13% depending on the surface, and hamstring activity can vary by up to 50% even in the same drill. Countermeasures, assuming adequate hydration and nutrition, include gradual acclimatization to the playing surface, adjusting shoe traction, and making slight modifications to training routines. On social media, there are many voices advocating for "fatigue management over hydration" and "acclimating the body to surface changes," while others remain steadfast in supporting "electrolyte supplementation and pickle juice." Practically, a comprehensive approach that includes "footwear design" may be the quickest way to reduce the recurrence of cramps.