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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Abdominal Muscle Cramps After Doing Pushups?

Recently I started doing pushups and crunches to help out with my dieting so that I could lose weight. I asked my boyfriend to oversee to make sure I do them all, and with his navy experience, he started me off at 50 crunches. That was two days ago.
I can't do any crunches today (could barely do them yesterday) because I have severe abdominal muscle cramps that feel more like a charlie horse on my abdomin. It hurts. Way more than regular muscle soreness. I'm afraid I might have pulled something or really damaged my abdominal muscles. I can't straighten completely because the pain is that bad, I've been actively trying to keep my stomach muscles in a relaxed state so that the pain isn't as bad.

Have any ideas why this is? Did I do too many crunches and pull something?
Wed, 1 Feb 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
You should have nothing ti worry. In scientific terms when muscles lack partially oxygen during the burst of physical activity( which is totally normal) it produces lactic acid that causes this pain. Don't worry it will pass for 2-3 days after the exercise. If you are a beginner take it step by step, and you will see results. You can't achieve the perfect body overnight. One small step every day will give you good results so your muscle can adapt day by day.
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What Causes Severe Abdominal Muscle Cramps After Doing Pushups?

You should have nothing ti worry. In scientific terms when muscles lack partially oxygen during the burst of physical activity( which is totally normal) it produces lactic acid that causes this pain. Don t worry it will pass for 2-3 days after the exercise. If you are a beginner take it step by step, and you will see results. You can t achieve the perfect body overnight. One small step every day will give you good results so your muscle can adapt day by day.