My 9 year old son has side cramps when running.?

Question

He started football and has been conditioning this week. He's normally in soccer and I think in pretty good condition for a kid. He's not over weight at all. All the other kids seem like their tired during conditioning but my son seem to be in pain and almost in tears. He always says it's a side cramp. Any idea's how to help them or avoid them?

Answer 1

To avoid side cramps. Don't eat very much and avoid salty foods for an example burger and fries that will slow you down. Eat a banana they have potassium and they help prevent cramps. He's either not having enough potassium, he's eating to much before, drinking to much water before or it could be the breathing. If this doesn't work then see a doctor. Hope this worked for you.

Answer 2

I advise that u should have him drink lots of water and eating bananas helps get rid of cramps...i play soccer also and i used to get a ton of cramps...also make sure that he eats good food before running

Answer 3

First I am going to tell you a little something.

If this is what it is and what you are talking about then, here we call it a sidestitch.

There are 2 reason why.

1. Definetely not enough water. Have him drink plenty of water before, during, and after the workout.

2. Potassium level. He is using all of his potassium and then he runs out. To fix this, try him eating a banana before conditioning. It might take a couple of days, but it should work.

Also, if he has asthma he could be having trouble breathing.

Just tell him to breathe in the nose out the mouth. It helps a bunch.

If this isn't what your talking about and your talking about weight lifting, which i hope hes not doing that as hes only 9, he could be lifting to heavy of weaights for his body. Make him lift smaller weights and slowly move up.

If all else fails and he still has it after this, I would say doctor but the most likely thing he would say is that he will eventually not have it anymore, which i think is not a good answer because I run cross country so anywhere between 6-11 miles and i almost get it everytime. It feels like a knife cutting at my side. If it's that bad tell the coach

Your Welcome

Answer 4

he shouldnt eat for one and a half hours before practice. i do cross country in the spring and i get terrible side cramps, so bad sometimes that i cant breathe. i cant eat for three hours before practice but my coach says one and a half for normal people. good luck. oh by the way, bananas help cramps

Answer 5

I think there ought to be more moms on Answers showing their concerns for their Children and long time companion:Husband.

As a model example for these young teens  to demonstrate how much emotionally and responsible they have to grow and where the growing will take them.

Yours is a fine question/example.

Answer 6

I used to always get side cramps when I was in school.  I think it is just part of being a Teenager.  I do know though that before  conditioning he shouldn't eat right before or drink too much water.  That's what helped me a little.

Answer 7

maybe he needs to drink more water or you should talk to a dr. about it

Answer 8

its all in the breathing.

Answer 9

Make sure to stretch, especially the chest and abs. If he does get one tell him to tell the coach (or any adult there that he knows and trusts) and to put his hands over his heads and walk down the sidelines. Don't sit down, this is one of the worst things you can do as it goes from very high levels of activity to none at all. Also tell him to do a cool down exercise at the end of practice (a lap around the track or length of the field). It is also very important that he drinks water reguarly as his cramps could be a sign of dehydration.