Magnesium for rugby cramp
Answer
No authorised cramp claim exists for magnesium. It contributes to normal muscle function at adequate intake, which is narrower. Late match cramp fits a neuromuscular fatigue explanation better than a mineral shortfall.
Key takeaways
- Is there a cramp claim?
- No. No supplement in the UK carries an authorised claim to prevent or treat cramp.
- What can magnesium claim?
- Contributions to normal muscle function, protein synthesis, electrolyte balance and reduced tiredness, at 15 percent NRV or above.
- So is it worth taking?
- As intake insurance, yes. Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate covers 80 percent of the reference value at 22p a day.
The short answer
Magnesium does not have a cramp claim, and nothing else does either. What it does carry is a claim that it contributes to normal muscle function at a serving providing at least 15 percent of the 375mg reference value.
Those are different statements and the gap between them is where most cramp marketing sits. Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate provides 300mg of elemental magnesium per two capsule serving, which is 80 percent of that reference value, at 22p a day.
What the cramp pattern suggests
Rugby cramp arrives late, hits calves and hamstrings, is worse in pre season and after a lay off, and strikes fit players as readily as anyone. A mineral shortfall does not wait until the 65th minute of a particular match to appear, and it does not release the moment the muscle is stretched.
That pattern is the reason this page does not promise anything. Sprays, salts, drinks and capsules are all sold into rugby cramp and none of them carries a claim for it.
Neuromuscular fatigue explains the pattern better, and the levers under that model are conditioning, match load and hydration rather than a capsule.
The full version
- Does magnesium stop cramp in rugby?The full answer, including what each explanation predicts and what actually reduces cramping.
- Electrolytes or magnesium for rugby cramp?Which product does what, and why neither carries a cramp claim.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day. Bought as intake insurance it makes sense. Bought as a cramp cure it will disappoint.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Does magnesium help cramp?
No authorised cramp claim exists. It contributes to normal muscle function at adequate intake.
What causes late match cramp?
Neuromuscular fatigue is the best supported explanation, which fits cramp arriving after 60 minutes.
How much should I take?
A serving providing 300mg elemental covers 80 percent of the 375mg reference value.