We are not actually entirely sure all of the time. There are certainly things that make it more likely though, for example, dehydration, pregnancy and muscle strain. When it happens at night in your legs it is usually related to unusual nerve activity. If you are getting it regularly, consider if you are dehydrated or overdoing exercises that use that muscle.
If it happens at night, it helps to push your heel down, lifting your toes. This will usually stop it in its tracks if you do it fast enough. Eventually your body will recognise this and do it almost on autopilot.
Hope this helps x
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