EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -During heavy exercise, we get cramps in the legs due to the accumulation of lactic acid. Lactic acid is the result of anaerobic respiration in muscle cells. During anaerobic respiration there is partial breakdown of glucose into lactic acid.

Detailed explanation-2: -Neither lactic acid nor lactate are responsible for muscles soreness or burning sensations from exercise. In fact, lactic acid is an important fuel source for muscles during exercise, including those in the heart. Muscle soreness after exercise occurs due to microdamage to muscles.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cramps also occur when a muscle is not able to relax properly (such as from a deficiency of magnesium or potassium in your diet) or when it becomes irritated by a buildup of lactic acid (which can happen if you don’t rest your muscle after it has exercised a lot).

Detailed explanation-4: -Cramps during exercise is caused by the build up of lactic acid due to lactic acid fermentation.

Detailed explanation-5: -It does seem that exercise-induced cramps are most likely to happen when your muscles are fatigued or tired. Another, older idea is that cramps are due to dehydration, or low levels of various chemicals (electrolytes) in the body.