The Use of Bananas in Preventing Exercise Associated Muscle Cramps

Abstract

Bananas have been consumed by athletes in the belief that they prevent muscle cramping. However, there are no studies in the literature that test plasma potassium concentration as a prevention technique for exercise associated muscle cramps. The purpose of this study was to determine if potassium in bananas increased threshold frequency (TF) of an electrically induced muscle cramp (EIMC) in young adults who have a history of muscle cramps. On the day of testing, subjects had a baseline blood sample and baseline EIMC, then ate 2 servings (300g) of bananas. After 60 minutes of rest, a final blood sample was drawn and a final EIMC was induced. Plasma potassium concentration did significantly increase, whereas cramp TF did not. Potassium in bananas does not affect cramp TF one hour after ingestion.