Question of the fortnight: What causes a stitch and what is the best way to get rid of it?
Blogging science to life
Tue 18 May 2010, Written by: Nicole
Question via twitter from @SouthvilleRC
The exact cause of a stitch isn't known, but it is thought that it may occur when blood is diverted from the stomach to the muscles which have a greater demand for blood when exercising. If the stomach is digesting food it may go into spasm due to the lack of oxygenated blood.
To ease off a stitch you have to lower the intensity of exercise, this means blood can be diverted back to the stomach to allow it to finish digestion. Deep breathing and stretching your arms above your head also helps.
Jules Richards
Personal Trainer Dip PT, Cert SMT
Core Fitness Consultancy
Thanks to Jules for the answer which has certainly given us food for thought!
Every fortnight, we are answering your science questions about the human body. It's all part of finding out how amazing you are, in the run up to the opening of our new exhibition All About Us in February 2011.
Do you have a science question about the human body?
Tweet your question to @atbristol using the hashtag #QF and we’ll answer one question every fortnight!
Find out more information about our new exhibition All About Us opening in February 2011
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