Prevalence of rest cramps at night in collegiates

Nocturnal leg cramps refer to a condition involving sudden and intense muscle spasms in the lower limbs, typically happening during nighttime. These spasms cause severe, pulsating pain and can last from a few seconds to several minutes. During a cramp, the affected muscles feel tender and rigid when touched. Leg cramps often stem from muscle fatigue and are associated with exertion levels surpassing the usual intensity. The current study seeks to uncover the prevalence of Nocturnal Leg Cramps among college students. Online google form portal, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram were used as a material to distribute the google form link. The study employed online survey. Face validity was utilized to ensure the questionnaire's accuracy before distribution to participants. It only takes approximately five minutes to complete the survey, which consists of 15 questions. 326 college-bound students aged 18 to 26 were the target respondents. The survey found that nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) are prevalent among participants, with 42.94% experiencing them frequently. These cramps significantly disrupt sleep duration (45.40%) and quality of life (38.04%). The calf region is the primary site of discomfort for 50.61% of respondents. Excessive exercise or soreness (40.49%) are common contributing factors, and 48.16% use stretching for relief. The prevalence of nocturnal leg cramps among college students is substantial, at 42.16%. This highlights the effectiveness of utilizing e-surveys to gather data on this issue, a method proven successful through its implementation.