why does swimming give such horrible cramps

[KayAyZee]

I've been trying to find the right combination of hydration and electrolytes to make my cramping go away, but haven't been successful yet.

It's the calf cramps that get me. Usually tighten into an unbearable knot when I'm trying to hoist myself out of the pool. There have been times when after 2 or 3 attempts I just give up and swim across a few lanes to get over to the ladder.

My calves have cramped up mid-swim too - half way through a lap one will just coil up and I have to tread water and massage it and try not to panic. But the absolute worst is when they cramp in the middle of the night and wake me up. Ugh, just writing about it is making my calves sore

[Iris616]

I mentioned this to my chiropractor a year or two ago. He suggested trying to consciously change the angle of my ankle and toes for a few kicks in every lap. It seems to work for me, when I remember to do it. But I have no idea why it works.