To prevent it, breath evenly and steadily while running and don't eat lots before going. When you eat right before, the food is in your stomach, bouncing around, while it is harder to breath, because you are running. Not a good combo!!!
How Can You Prevent Stomach Cramps While Running On A Treadmill?
Oh no! Please do not eat big meals before running! This is the time your body will send blood flow and oxygen to intestinal tract to digest food, rather than sending it to all of the muscles you are using while running! So unless you mean you are having hunger pains, please do not do this.
Cramps above the waist are common when not conditioning every day or when increasing the distance or output.
So two things to pay attention to that could help you:
1) body alignment. Keep shoulders rolled back, and swing arms at sides, not in front of chest. Make sure feet are pointed straight and not to sides or inside. Tuck your rear end, especially if you are a woman because your center of gravity is in your hips, and your stomach and abdominal muscles will work hard to compensate if you are not tucking.
2) Fluids, salts, and potassium. Ensure you are having enough salt and potassium and fluid to keep electrolyte balance, to keep hydrated and to ensure and nutrients to "feed" muscles when working. Do not drink huge qunatities of fluid prior to running, but keep hydrated before, during and after. Also ensure there is enough potassium in your diet for the work you ask your muscles to do. Some people say bananas are good but actually, even that they are higher in potassium than some food, it's not very much at all when we think about what our needs are when running and strenuously using our muscles. If you are running much, potassium in your diet overall will be very important to avoid cramps.
Oh and finally, work up to your capacity slowly. Over taxing any muscles can cause cramps, no matter how much potassium and posture we have, so do not overdo, and keep a consistent schedule with gradual increases.
Cramps above the waist are common when not conditioning every day or when increasing the distance or output.
So two things to pay attention to that could help you:
1) body alignment. Keep shoulders rolled back, and swing arms at sides, not in front of chest. Make sure feet are pointed straight and not to sides or inside. Tuck your rear end, especially if you are a woman because your center of gravity is in your hips, and your stomach and abdominal muscles will work hard to compensate if you are not tucking.
2) Fluids, salts, and potassium. Ensure you are having enough salt and potassium and fluid to keep electrolyte balance, to keep hydrated and to ensure and nutrients to "feed" muscles when working. Do not drink huge qunatities of fluid prior to running, but keep hydrated before, during and after. Also ensure there is enough potassium in your diet for the work you ask your muscles to do. Some people say bananas are good but actually, even that they are higher in potassium than some food, it's not very much at all when we think about what our needs are when running and strenuously using our muscles. If you are running much, potassium in your diet overall will be very important to avoid cramps.
Oh and finally, work up to your capacity slowly. Over taxing any muscles can cause cramps, no matter how much potassium and posture we have, so do not overdo, and keep a consistent schedule with gradual increases.