Probably been a month since I sailed last and the wind chill / water temp shortened what should have been a longer session today.
As with previous winter sessions after a few laps the left arm starts to fatigue, its predominately forearm/wrist/hand to the point where I have trouble making a fist. Take a break for 5-10 minutes and it improves enough to get in a few more laps before having to take a break again.
What's the medical term for what's happening ?
What can be done to help prevent it ?

Mine is called old age or worn out
Seriously, I know exactly how you feel. Anti-inflammatories, physio, different technique etc.
I wish I knew the right answer.

You will find your forearms 'blow up' especially in gusty winds where you're in & out of the harness.
It is muscle fatigue & lactic acid build up.

A short arm steamer will help or gym specific exercises for arms or ideally more sailing without a wetsuit
which is not feasible atm.

Longer harness lines help.

Could be muscle pump/compartment syndrome.

I go with all
Arm pump due to gustiness meaning you are always trimming
Long arm wetties unless windsurf specific are too tight in the forearm, they are designed for lesser men like surfers and kiters with their spaghetti arms
And outa shape a little as its winter :(

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pirrad said...
Probably been a month .....
the wind chill / water temp ...

Vasoconstriction will reduce blood flow to your extremities, including arms, when you are cold and this lack of blood will certainly contribute significantly to your symptoms. Wear gear to keep warm and you should have improvement. And sailing at least once a fortnight helps as does a wetsuit that is not overly tight on the arms.

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TGale said..

pirrad said...
Probably been a month .....
the wind chill / water temp ...

Vasoconstriction will reduce blood flow to your extremities, including arms, when you are cold and this lack of blood will certainly contribute significantly to your symptoms. Wear gear to keep warm and you should have improvement. And sailing at least once a fortnight helps as does a wetsuit that is not overly tight on the arms.

Today probably wasn't the best test, wind chill didn't seem as bad and didn't sail long due to conditions, but this morning I got 400mm of 90mm stormwater pipe and forced it into wetsuit sleeve (left, gave me trouble yesterday, right handed) to wrist opening, ran hot water over it for several minutes and left it in for 3 hrs before I sailed. It was a noticeably looser fit when I put it on and still looser than the right an hour later when I took it off. Think i'll store the wetty with them inserted in both arms until I use it again.

Even better, just chop the wetty arms off at the elbow

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Stretchy said..
Even better, just chop the wetty arms off at the elbow

.... or a few well placed slices with a Stanley knife at the wetsuit wrists and forearms and all is good. I did it to mine a few years back due to arm pump and very rarely have any problems now.

^^^ Ken I am bleeding really bad now, have I done it right?

If you don't have arm pump then then yep, you've done it right Mark

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Stretchy said..
Even better, just chop the wetty arms off at the elbow

Better still, move to a warmer climate.