Question

Why do we feel muscle cramps after heavy exercise?

Answer 1

Cellular Respiration:

• The cells produce energy for metabolic activities by oxidizing the carbohydrate molecules.
• In the muscle cells, the energy from respiration is used to create muscle contractions that help perform physical activities.

Lactic Acid Fermentation:

• During heavy exercises, the muscle cells do not receive an adequate oxygen supply to complete their oxygen requirement.
• The oxygen deficiency causes the muscles to perform the lactic acid fermentation process to generate the required energy.
• The pyruvate molecule produced from glycolysis is utilized by the muscle cells to produce lactate acid and energy.
• After the exercise, the lactic acid gets accumulated in the bloodstream, causing muscle cramps.

Therefore, muscle cramps after heavy exercise are caused due to lactic acid fermentation.