Can you get a "stitch" while cycling?

Jawgap

Started back at the rugby training over the weekend and two things were quickly apparent -

1) I've lost a lot of weight since the start of the summer!!!

2) I've gained a lot of aerobic fitness.

Afterwards a few of us were having a lemonade or two as part of the recovery process and the talk turned to the training and specifically the laps we ran.

As a coach it was quite nice out-pacing the supposedly fitter players, but as one pointed out I didn't seem to suffer from a stitch.

I know what causes stitches, but my question is while I get them a lot of the time when I run - I've never had one on the bike......

.......so can you get a stitch while cycling and if not why not?

My own pet theory is you can't because the cycliing position keeps the pressure of the diaphragm, but I'm open to being corrected!

Chips Lovell

I've gotten stiches while cyling. Virtually all of them have been during races.

Lumen

I have had stitch a couple of times when going very hard on the bike.

IIRC it's caused by lactic acid build up around the diaphragm. I suspect that on the bike it's a sign that you're using muscles wrongly, e.g. trying to cycle with your arms because your legs are wrecked.

Ryaner

I went through about two weeks when I got a stitch on every single cycling journey no matter how slow/easy I went. It is the strangest feeling to have energy in your legs, not be out of breath and not be able to push further.

further to what Lumen says, it does seem to be related to position on the bike.

Jawgap

It's cramping of the diaphragm - but I'm obviously not pushing myself hard enough on the bike!!!

peterako

Occasionally get stitches on the bike.

My 'cure' is to start breathing properly again....but deeper breaths.

Properly = breathing 'from the belly'

This equates to using/moving your diaphram properly while breathing.

Works every time for me.

Peter

blorg

Like Tonto, I have only got them during races- specifically during my first 25 mile time trial. I think I got one last year during a triathlon too.

rughdh

Flat out only, for me.