How do muscle cramps work?

Question

I know that cramps are the involuntary contraction of a specific muscle, but I want to know how that happens. What process causes them?

In: 20

Answer 1

Imagine you’re riding a bike. In order to move you have to release the brakes and push on the pedals. A cramp is like trying to pedal a bike while the brakes are squeezed. It can be quite painful for one part of your body to start moving while the rest of the parts around don’t want to move.