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Correlates of night‐time and exercise‐associated lower limb cramps in healthy adults
Author(s) -
Hawke Fiona,
McKay Marnee J.,
Baldwin Jennifer N.,
Chiu Simon,
Sadler Sean,
Oldmeadow Christopher,
Chuter Vivienne,
Burns Joshua
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.27359
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle cramp , odds ratio , physical therapy , quartile , confidence interval , volunteer , agronomy , biology
Abstract Introduction/Aims We explored correlates of night‐time and exercise‐associated lower limb cramps in participants of the 1000 Norms Project. Methods A volunteer community sample of healthy people aged ≥18 y underwent assessment of motor function and physical performance, and were questioned about muscle cramps in the previous 3 mo. Results Of 491 (221 female) participants age 18–101 y (mean: 59.12; SD: 18.03), about 1 in 3 experienced night‐time lower limb cramps, and about 1 in 4 experienced exercise‐associated lower limb cramps. For night‐cramps, a one unit increase in Beighton score (greater whole‐body flexibility) was associated with a 31% reduced odds of cramps (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.45, 0.99) and passing all three lesser‐toe strength tests was associated with 50% reduced odds of cramps (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.78). For exercise‐associated cramps, participants in the fourth (lowest arch) quartile of Foot Posture Index were 2.1 times (95% CI: 1.11, 3.95) more likely to experience cramps than participants in the first (highest arch) quartile. Odds of experiencing both types of cramps versus no cramps were lower with passing all three lesser‐toe strength tests (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.85) and better performance in the six‐minute walk test (OR = 0.997, 95% CI: 0.996, 0.998). Discussion People who experienced both exercise‐associated and night‐time cramps were less functional. The association between night‐time cramps with less whole‐body flexibility and reduced lesser‐toe flexor strength should be explored to determine causation. Planovalgus (low‐arched) foot type was independently associated with exercise‐associated cramps. The effectiveness of foot orthoses for secondary prevention of exercise‐associated cramps in people with low‐arched feet should be explored.