What are painful muscle spasms following vigorous exercise known as?

Painful muscle spasms following vigorous exercise are known as heat cramps. These cramps typically occur due to a combination of factors including excessive sweating, loss of electrolytes, dehydration, and muscle fatigue. When the body loses fluids and essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium through sweat, it can lead to an imbalance that triggers painful contractions in the muscles.

Heat cramps are often a warning sign that the body is becoming overstressed and might be at risk of more severe heat-related illnesses if proper hydration and recovery are not addressed. Recognizing the symptoms of heat cramps is important for athletes and individuals engaging in strenuous physical activities, as it allows them to take appropriate measures to cool down, rehydrate, and replenish lost electrolytes to prevent further complications.

Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are broader conditions related to heat stress but do not specifically refer to the localized, painful muscle spasms that define heat cramps.