Today's true sports drinks are still the classic Gatorade -- packed with the electrolytes potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium to provide energy during intense workouts -- as well as competitors such as Cytomax, Allsport, and Accelerade.
1 Low levels of minerals, such as sodium, magnesium or potassium, in the body can be one of the reasons for Charlie horses. 2  Deficiency of calcium in pregnant women can also be another reason for the onset of Charley horse.  Low level of liquids in the body, while exercising, might be a probable cause of Charley horse.
The cramp, or charley horse, is due to the muscle contracting (shortening and tightening) in a sudden and violent way. These nocturnal leg cramps usually occur in the calf muscle. But foot and leg cramps do happen at night also. Cramps in the thighs are less common. One main reason for the pain is because blood flow to the muscle is restricted. Waste products also build up within the muscle tissue.