Sportlegs Feedback?

[Rando Richard]

Anyone have experience using Sportlegs for cycling? Measurable difference?

It has been on the market for years now. 

Rando Richard, #4638

Cycling and Backcountry Skiing in the Mountains of Central Utah

[Pam Wright]

Richard,

I used it for yearrrrrrrs mostly because "why not."  Stopped a few years ago and didn't notice a difference in muscle fatigue.  Now that I have bodily issues requiring more Ca and Mg, I use my cramp trick from ages ago...Rolaids.  Tums don't have Mg, so please don't anyone think they're the same thing.  

Now I start and end EVERY day with a Rolaid and take at least 1 at every control during rides, in addition to other electrolytes. 

YMMV cuz you're stronger than me, so if you find a magic potion, lemme know :)

Pamela Wright #3205

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[Timothy Kelly]

I used to use Sportslegs and they worked for me. But I find using an electrolyte drink mix with calories a more efficient way to stave off cramping. 

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[ken jessett]

I have to add this: Pickle Juice. I always had bottles of the liquid available to my Bessies Creek riders and I take at least two bottles with me when out riding. I get cramp, swig a bottle, cramp goes away.

It works for me and the company is in your neck of the woods in Mesquite.

Ken# 3759

[Noah Swartz]

This whole conversation has confused me immensely 

As I understood it sports legs is designed to reduce muscle pain by convincing your body to produce less lactic acid - which sounds to me maybe like a questionable idea which is why I suspect it hasn't received widespread adoption.

As for Tums, I thought the calcium carbonate in it was what was effective for cramps.

If you're trying to replenish magnesium why not just take magnesium pills instead of hunting down rolaids?

There was an article shared in a rusa email a while ago about studies around cramping and cramping prevention: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8775277/

I remember it being somewhat inconclusive , has anyone done more research?

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[Kitty Goursolle]

Tums, pickle juice, endurolytes, gatorade, and various salty snacks, I've used them all. I carry gatorade powder, tums and endurolytes. It doesn't seem to matter if it's hot weather or not because I've been subject to cramps during quite cool weather. If I forget to drink my Gatorade even on a cool day I can cramp. As always ,YMMV, and everyone needs to find out what works for themselves, hopefully before an important event.  

[Kitty Goursolle]

 Just to add our kidneys are responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance--either dumping excessive electrolytes in urine or recycling them back to the body. With training we can become more efficient at this process. But--my point is: Do not use ibuprofen during severe exercise as it can cause severe kidney damage, and total shut down.  I've seen riders eat ibuprofen like candy,  and I've been guilty too, before I found out what could happen.  

[Geoff Hazel]

I  appreciate your mention of kidney function.  One thing I've been working on lately is sufficient hydration during a ride.  I can correlate cramping with rides where I didn't drink enough.   My current target is one bottle of fluid per hour of riding, and so far when I do that, I'm cramp free.

[Richard Stum]

What I failed to mention in my original post is that I have used them off and on for years, but I have no conclusive evidence that worked for me. So I wanted to see if other randonneurs are using them. 

But Noah, you are right, they are designed to buffer or reduce lactic acid build up. They advertise their product to alpine skiers too. 

They are not sold as an electrolyte, a pre-workout vasodilator (beetroot juice) or as a GI aid to reduce cramping. 

It sounds like the jury is still out on this one. Thanks for your comments. 

~ RR

 

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[Larry Parker]

A little late to this, but I have to add my two cents.   I have been a “cramper” most of my life.  Part of it may be a tendency to under-hydrate, but I think the main issue is a Calcium-Magnesium imbalance.

I am a dairy guy. Ice cream, Malts, shakes, cheese, milk on my cereal, with meals, etc.  a LOT.  Since I was a kid.   I tried adding Mg tablets but they caused some big bad digestive issues,  THEN I found Cramp Defense.  Their advice is much like I was figuring out on my own.  Reduce calcium (dairy, for me) and take their capsules.   They have worked wonders. I will take an extra Cramp Defense capsule when I take in more than a little dairy.   I may over dose, but I have never had any of the severe side effects of cheap Mg tablets.

They are tasteless, compact, and just part of my morning breakfast routine, and post ride routine, too. I also carry a few with me on long rides. If I start to spasm or cramp, I pop one or two capsules per hour.  That makes me drink more, too!

https://www.crampdefense.com/

 

Larry Parker

1328

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[Kitty Goursolle]

Larry mentioned magnesium helping him overcome cramps. I follow Dr. Michael Greger,

and found this: https://nutritionfacts.org/blog/magnesium-to-prevent-sudden-cardiac-death/

So we might not only prevent cramps with magnesium but we might prevent a sudden heart attack too.