During an episode, heat cramps typically cause athletes to:

• A. Hobble to a halt with locked-up muscles.
• B. Slump to the ground with weak muscles.
• C. Writhe and yell in pain.
• D. Lie fairly still, not showing distress.

Answer: (C)

Heat cramps cause sudden, painful muscle contractions during or after intense exercise in hot conditions. The most noticeable reaction is the athlete writhing in pain and vocalizing or yelling as the cramped muscle tightens. This active struggle and audible distress is what makes the response describing writhe and yell in pain the best fit. The other options describe more passive or less distressing responses that don’t match the typical, painful cramping experience. In practice, stop the activity, move to a cooler place, rehydrate, and gently stretch or massage the cramped muscle; seek medical attention if cramps persist or if there are signs of heat illness.