Investigation of the side pain "stitch" induced by running after fluid ingestion

Abstract

Our observations cannot be explained readily by mechanisms involving digestion-induced changes in blood flow but are consistent with the notion that stitch arises when the fluid-engorged gut tugs on visceral ligaments.

Abdominal pain in long distance runners: case report and analysis of the literature: Figure 1

“…16 Several factors indicate that this mechanism was also the cause of pain in our patient. First, subcostal pain could be reproduced by forced extension of the abdominal muscles.…”

“…Furthermore, the results of a recent study suggest a lack of correlation between the reduction in abdominal blood flow and pain during effort. 16 The pounding effect of intestinal jarring has also been considered a direct cause for the development of gastrointestinal symptoms during running. Mechanical stimulation of the intestinal mucosa during running may result in a release of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) 17 18 and prostaglandins, 9 which promote colonic contraction and could cause abdominal cramps and secretory diarrhoea.…”

“…22 Generally, abdominal pain resolves when the effort is stopped or when techniques such as bending forward while tightening the abdominal muscles or breathing through pursed lips after a deep inhalation are applied. 16 However, abdominal pain is a substantial source of discomfort during athletic events. Moreover, in some cases this problem can be persistent and frequent, or may not respond to treatment.…”

A Sports Drink Based on Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin Generates Few Gastrointestinal Disorders in Untrained Men during Bicycle Exercise

“…This leads to stretching of ligaments in the abdominal area. If there is a large amount of residual liquid in the stomach, belching and lateroabdominal stitches will be easily generated (Peters et al, 1993;Plunkett & Hopkins, 1999). In this experiment, the fewest number of belches was observed with the HBCD-based drink (Fig.…”

Recurrent chest pain in the well child

“…Its cause is uncertain but may be due to an engorged gut pulling on visceral ligaments where they attach to the diaphragm, or ischaemic pain in the diaphragm due to blood shunting to the gut and limb muscles during exercise 32. Treatment involves delaying exercise for 2–3 h after eating, the wearing of a light, wide belt around the waist and the taking of small amounts of fluid regularly while exercising, bending forward to tighten the abdominal muscles, and breathing through pursed lips 32…”