When I point my toes really hard in dance I get a cramp, how can I change this?

Question

I'm in dance and we have to point our toes really hard. For the most part I can, but to really do it hard and sharp, I get a cramp in my foot and have to walk it out each time. Is there a way I can change this?

Answer 1

Cramping is usually caused by one of two things (or sometimes both). Either you haven't properly warmed up your feet or you are potassium deficient. Be sure to spend a sufficient amount of time on your feet during warm ups. Prances and releves are great to get your muscles warm and going, and you can follow those with simple tendus. Also, try eating bananas to get your potassium up. This will help prevent muscle cramping everywhere, not just in your feet.

Answer 2

Warm up and eat bananas. The potassium in bananas help keep your body from getting cramps. Try to do some strengthening exercises and also ask your instructor what she feels would help you. She knows your body better than we do and could possible help.

Answer 3

Cramping is often due to insufficient warm up. Try more thorough warm ups, maybe rub your feet with your hands vigoriously before dancing, too. Legwarmers might help if you don't wear them.

Answer 4

Warm up your toes as well when you're doing warm up exercises, but also don't point so hard, you can also put extra padding, like cotton to see what happens.

Answer 5

I think stretching your foot would help. Its going to be a gradual process to stretch the muscles in your foot and strengthen them though. Talk to your instructor about it too.

Answer 6

you need to advise your dance teacher that this happens so you can warm more before starting.

Answer 7

by warming up in strecthing your upper and lower body more often