A dozen members of the Tufts men’s lacrosse team have been diagnosed with a rare muscle injury after participating in a voluntary 45-minute workout, a university spokesman said Friday. The workout, led by a Tufts alumnus who had completed Navy SEAL training, took place Monday, according to the university’s spokesman. Associated Press.
Over the past week, training has left 12 players with rhabdomyolysis, a muscle condition associated with overexertion. Five of those athletes remained hospitalized with the condition on Friday.
Rhabdomyolysis, commonly known as “rhabdo,” is a condition in which muscles break down, Cleveland ClinicIt can be caused by high-intensity exercise, dehydration, and overheating, among other causes. Rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
Tufts director of media relations Patrick Collins said Friday that the number of confirmed cases and hospitalizations could still change, according to AP.
“We are closely monitoring the condition of the remainder of the team and have postponed all team practice activities until each team member has been evaluated and medically cleared to return to participation,” Collins said in a written statement, adding that they expect a speedy recovery.
Collins added that due to the severity of the injuries, the university will appoint an independent investigator to conduct an external review. However, the school is declining to provide additional details about how the injuries occurred until the investigation is complete.
Tufts is the reigning Division III men’s lacrosse champion, having defeated Rochester Institute of Technology in May to take home its fourth NCAA trophy.