Which explanation best fits current evidence about the sharp side stitch some runners get?
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Answer: Movement irritates the sensitive lining of the abdominal wall
Movement irritates the sensitive lining of the abdominal wall ✓ — Irritation of the lining of the abdominal wall is a plausible explanation that fits many features of side stitches. This lining can produce sharp, localized pain when irritated, but the exact cause of exercise-related side stitches remains unsettled.
The lungs inflate until they press painfully on the ribs — Normal lung expansion does not explain the typical features of a running side stitch. The pain can occur away from the lungs and is better matched by irritation of the abdominal lining.
The ribs scrape against one another with each breath — The ribs do not normally scrape against each other during breathing. Side stitches are transient abdominal pains, not evidence that rib bones are grinding together.