Cramps and Stitches

June 2001

Science has not found all the answers about muscle cramp and the stitch.

Cramp is due to an involuntary muscle contraction, which may be partly due to dehydration, heavy salt losses or extremes of temperature. Well trained and well hydrated athletes are at least risk of muscle cramps.
The pain of the stitch is likely to come from the abdominal cavity. To reduce the risk of the stitch an athlete should start sport with an empty stomach and frequently drink small serves of fluids throughout sport. Water or sports drinks are the best choices.