Introduction

• Every year people die in lakes, oceans and even swimming pools due to leg cramps. A leg cramp can render a person helpless between its pain and its immobilizing power. Regardless of whether you are a strong swimmer or not, cramps are an important thing to keep in mind when it comes to swimming safety.
  
  

The Muscles

• When you swim you cause your muscles to work, for which they need oxygen. Without oxygen, your muscles will tire quickly and will build up a solution called lactic acid.
  
  

Lactic Acid

• Lactic acid is commonly found in the foods that you eat, especially foods high in calcium. As you swim, that lactic acid in your body will accumulate in the muscles that you are using the most. Under normal circumstances, oxygen reaches the muscle and helps oxidize the lactic acid, which gets it out of the muscle. However, when not enough oxygen can get to the muscle, the muscle becomes overwhelmed by the acid and cramps.
  
  

Prevention

• The best way to prevent swimming cramps is through training and regular exercise. The more you train a muscle, the longer it takes for lactic acid to build up inside of it. Regular exercise helps by improving circulation throughout your entire body. The better circulation you have, the faster and greater quantity of oxygen you can carry through the blood to your muscles. The more oxygen is delivered to the muscle, the faster the lactic acid can be oxidized and removed.