Exercise related transient abdominal pain

Causes and solutions

Abstract

Exercise related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), generally known as stitch or side ache, is a condition of unknown ethiology which is very common among sporting participants. Several hypothesis based upon different reasons such as pain localization, modality of sport performed or fluid ingestion among others, have sought to explain this phenomena, although using an anecdotical rather than a scientific approach. Because of that, the exact cause of the ETAP remains to be elucidated. From the findings of the most scientific relevant studies that have searched the characteristics of the ETAP, this work aims to explain the available theories that have been developed about this issue, to describe what are the morfophysiological reasons behind its origin, and to show different strategies that in some cases seem to be effective when trying to soften its symptoms or even prevent its onset.