Extreme training can lead to soreness and muscular fatigue. However, no training program should result in rhabdomyolysis – breakdown of muscle fibers (myoglobin) leading to the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. What’s wrong with a little myoglobin in your bloodstream? Low blood volume, shock and kidney damage.
Last year in fact a group of high school football players ended up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis (sometimes referred to as “rhabdo” by strength & conditioning coaches). In a cop-out attempt by the coaching staff, they blamed a popular sports supplement, creatine (ah, they should have done their homework first). Anyway, in January of this year, yet another football team, this one from the University of Iowa, ended up with several players in the hospital thanks to rhabdo.
You want your athletes to work hard, but not damage their muscles to the extent where they end up in the hospital on dialysis. So, how can you do this? Turn to NSCA’s recommended standards and guidelines when training athletes. And, learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment for rhabdomyolysis. As a coach, parent or personal trainer, it is imperative that you first “do no harm.”