Episode 8 Part 1 - of Parkrun and Pickle Juice.
Parkrun is a weekly festival that is held at 8am on Saturday mornings at nearly fifteen hundred different parks around the world. It is based around running, but in my opinion it's actually a free festival of community kindness run by volunteers, with a focus on exercise as pathway to good health. You should attend, even if you don't think of yourself as particularly fit or sporty - you will be amongst friends. And, Parkrun is also a hotbed of community science, with several articles published using Parkrun data.
Which brings us to pickle juice - an unlikely but proven cure for cramps.
I hope you enjoy this podcast in praise of Parkrun and Pickle juice.
Here are some links:
Newy and Stockton Parkrun pages, if you live locally to Soothing Science HQ.
Benefits of Parkrun for mental health - research by Paul Morris, Staffordshire University - original: Not just a run in the park: A qualitative exploration of parkrun and mental health.
Effects of Parkrun on childbirth - research by Professor Andrew Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics and Tommy’s Clinical Director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and colleagues.
Reflex inhibition of electrically induced muscle cramps in hypohydrated humans.
Magnesium doesn't work for cramps - research by Dr Scott Garrison and colleagues at the university of Alberta.
How muscles work - just a cool animation
