Cramps

[smeagol]

Outside of properly hydrating in the leadup, interested to hear others’ tips and stories for cramps during/after a game.

No matter the conditions, I always pack a bottle of Pedialyte and a jar of pickles. I’ve heard athletic trainers tell stories of raiding concession stands for mustard packets, as well.

Going forward, I’m keeping two bottles on hand - last night, after an action-packed second half (5-3 split in tries) that saw multiple players from both teams and the center ref come down with cramp, my 3/4-full bottle got tapped.

 

[SimonSmith]

I prehydrate with water and soluble magnesium tablets.

Solved all my cramping issues.,

 

[smeagol]

I prehydrate with water and soluble magnesium tablets.

Solved all my cramping issues.,

Can you get these tabs in any pharmacy?

I had to cover six games (U19 boys) without any meaningful break, and my calves and quads were seizing up by game six.

I tried to prehydrate, but didn’t get much of a break (entire event lasted about 3.5 hours), and by the championship my calves and quads were seizing.

 

[SimonSmith]

Can you get these tabs in any pharmacy?

I had to cover six games (U19 boys) without any meaningful break, and my calves and quads were seizing up by game six.

I tried to prehydrate, but didn’t get much of a break (entire event lasted about 3.5 hours), and by the championship my calves and quads were seizing.

Magnesium Supplement Effervescent Tablet | VÖOST

Vöost Magnesium effervescent tablets support your bone health and muscle function in a delicious way! Just dissolve one Vöost tablet in water and enjoy!

www.voostvitamin.com

You may need to search by pharmacy - I'm geoblocked by some of the USA chains.
But I imagine there's a ton of similar options.

 

[smeagol]

Magnesium Supplement Effervescent Tablet | VÖOST

Vöost Magnesium effervescent tablets support your bone health and muscle function in a delicious way! Just dissolve one Vöost tablet in water and enjoy!

www.voostvitamin.com

You may need to search by pharmacy - I'm geoblocked by some of the USA chains.
But I imagine there's a ton of similar options.

A grocery store near me has Nuun tablets, which at first glance seem to be similar - will pick some up, as I may have another 7s event this week.

Should I be using the tabs in the lead-up along with my increased hydration, or during the event?

 

[Dickie E]

Should I be using the tabs in the lead-up along with my increased hydration, or during the event?

If all else fails, read the instructions

 

[Phil E]

If all else fails, read the instructions

RTFM

 

[smeagol]

RTFM

I walked right into that.

 

[SimonSmith]

A grocery store near me has Nuun tablets, which at first glance seem to be similar - will pick some up, as I may have another 7s event this week.

Should I be using the tabs in the lead-up along with my increased hydration, or during the event?

To be slightly more helpful...

I read the instructions I have mine about 30 minutes before k/off. They do a rehydration one that I use at half time.

Might sound a bit extreme, but I'm refereeing in the Alice Springs summer, which can be a bit challenging hydration wise.

 

[Dickie E]

My go to's: yoga & voltaren

 

[Volun-selected]

@smeagol - have you tried the magnesium or other supplements this season? Have you had any noticeable improvement while reffing in the current sauna conditions?

(Looks at the Aussie refs and wonders how the hell you *ever* get used to running when it’s 32C/90F…)

 

[smeagol]

@smeagol - have you tried the magnesium or other supplements this season? Have you had any noticeable improvement while reffing in the current sauna conditions?

(Looks at the Aussie refs and wonders how the hell you *ever* get used to running when it’s 32C/90F…)

I’ve been taking magnesium capsules, but not for this reason. I also hadn’t refereed in a month.

Looking back, I think not having much rest near the end did me in. My kickoff times were

120
200
240
305
345
425

And I couldn’t tag in someone - there were two fields going most rounds and two referees.

 

[SimonSmith]

@smeagol - have you tried the magnesium or other supplements this season? Have you had any noticeable improvement while reffing in the current sauna conditions?

(Looks at the Aussie refs and wonders how the hell you *ever* get used to running when it’s 32C/90F…)

That would be cool for us in Alice. Dickie and his mob go in the winter. Central Australia, for reasons, do it in the summer.

 

[Dickie E]

Hottest, & most humid, for me was Cambodia 10s last November. Followed closely by Phuket 10s a few years ago