Side stitches during cardio

[Roonytunes]

What causes this? This is the second day in a row that it's happened to me, both times around the 26th or 27th minute in my 30 min cardio routine. I am doing cardio on an empty stomach and I have not really changed or increased intensity of my cardio sessions. Trying to pinpoint what is causing this....don't think it is fatigue or overtraining either because I took off Fri and Sat completely while on vacation. I do have a slight runny nose and dry cough, but it is very slight and appears to be of the nature where it will linger for a good week more before all of it goes away.

Any ideas?

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Side stiches are usually due to one of three things -

1) improper breathing, or shallow breathing. Try to breath deeply at regular intervals. (Count if you have to - i.e., breathe in for 5 seconds, breathe out for 5 seconds) Alos, make sure you are breathing from your belly, not your chest - deep breaths.

2) Dehydration - make sure you are drinking enough before and during cardio

3) Low potassium - this can cause muscle cramps. If you are very well hydrated, then your electrolytes may be off, causing muscle cramps. Sometimes this can bring about side stitches.

My guess is that it is #1.

Good luck!

 

[Roonytunes]

Side stiches are usually due to one of three things -

1) improper breathing, or shallow breathing. Try to breath deeply at regular intervals. (Count if you have to - i.e., breathe in for 5 seconds, breathe out for 5 seconds) Alos, make sure you are breathing from your belly, not your chest - deep breaths.

2) Dehydration - make sure you are drinking enough before and during cardio

3) Low potassium - this can cause muscle cramps. If you are very well hydrated, then your electrolytes may be off, causing muscle cramps. Sometimes this can bring about side stitches.

My guess is that it is #1.

Good luck!

Thanks Daisy for clearing this up for me! I think it is most likely #1 or possibly #2. I never drink water before or during cardio, but I should probably start.

 

[jenscats5]

I can't drink water before morning-empty-stomach cardio either as it gives me wicked cramps -- during is ok.....The side stitch I've read is common among those who are "new" to certain types of cardio (like running) or due to the improper breathing.

Try this when you get one: raise your hands above your head & breathe in deeply thru your nose then exhale thru your mouth.

Oh & my nose runs also when I do cardio.....

 

[Sassy69]

ALways have water with you while you are exercising. Hydration is KEY.

 

[necia]

This happens to me FREQUENTLY. Usually when I drink water it stops right away.

Necia

 

[*Bunny*]

Side stiches are usually due to one of three things -

1) improper breathing, or shallow breathing. Try to breath deeply at regular intervals. (Count if you have to - i.e., breathe in for 5 seconds, breathe out for 5 seconds) Alos, make sure you are breathing from your belly, not your chest - deep breaths.

2) Dehydration - make sure you are drinking enough before and during cardio

3) Low potassium - this can cause muscle cramps. If you are very well hydrated, then your electrolytes may be off, causing muscle cramps. Sometimes this can bring about side stitches.

My guess is that it is #1.

Good luck!

Great post Daisy

Roony - If you are still taking T-Rex on empty before cardio I would highly recommend drinking water before, during and after cardio... keep hydrated, it's essential ...

 

[The Shadow]

Yep....


when I get them...its becasue of shallow breathing......




the old Indian's Tale of stretching...taking a deep breath and then bending over to pick up a pebble really does work at alleviating the pain..makes sense if you think about it

 

[Roonytunes]

Just to follow up, it appears the experts on this board were right on the mark again. I think it had to do with my breathing. I've been having a mild cold and cough which I believe has been affecting my ability to breathe properly because of the phlegm (lovely image, right?) and other crap in my system. Today I did 60 sec incline intervals for HIIT instead of 30 sec speed ones and since inclines naturally make me pant and breathe deep, everything was back to being hunky dory.

Thanks guys!