On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Nyakundi Report revisits a curious race-day habit that has drawn attention at athletics events: some runners place grass on their hair before or during competition.
The practice has often been tied to the belief that it helps athletes avoid stitches, the sharp side pain also known in medical terms as exercise-related transient abdominal pain, or ETAP. A stitch is temporary and harmless, but it can be painful enough to disrupt a race.
There is no firm scientific agreement that grass on the hair prevents the pain. The article notes that the idea has circulated widely, but the explanation remains uncertain and is still treated by many as superstition rather than proven method.
One athlete, Mathew Kipchumba, defended the habit in direct terms, saying: “The honest answer is that we anti- stitch,”
Researchers and sports observers have also pointed to more practical ways of reducing the risk of stitches. These include staying well hydrated in the 12 hours before exercise and avoiding large meals for at least two hours before running.
The piece closes on the familiar warning that, whatever the theory, athletes continue to experiment with the practice even though the cause of stitches is not fully understood.
