Athletes can experience painful muscle cramps during or immediately after exercise. These cramps are technically known as exercise-associated muscle cramping(EAMC). It has long been believed that this cramping is due to dehydration, changes in blood electrolyte compostition, or both. Despite a widespread belief that EAMC in all athletes is caused by dehydration and electrolyte loss, there is no body of scientific literature to support this theory.
The American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) notes that recommendations to avoid dehydration and sodium deficits is based on consensus and usual practice.
Case studies of football players suggest that heat cramps may be the result of rapid and large losses of fluid and electrolytes and muscle fatigue. Football players that fall into this category are known as "salty sweaters" and appear to benefit from consuming sodium containing beverages during and after exercise. It's a good idea to use the hydration guidelines in the previous post to try to get a feel for your own personal sweat loss based on weight lost during training, then hydrate accordingly. Don't forget to drink a sports drink during and after exercise. As there seems to be some non-nutritional causes for EAMC - i.e., lack of stretching-each athlete should try to determine the likely causes of their cramping through trial and error so that they can eliminate the causative factors.
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