The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 01, 2025
Today: April 01, 2025

3 Tufts University lacrosse players remain hospitalized after workout with Navy SEAL graduate

Five Tufts University lacrosse players remain hospitalized after Navy SEAL-style workout
September 23, 2024

(CNN) โ€” Three menโ€™s lacrosse players at Tufts University remain hospitalized after a voluntary, supervised 45-minute workout with a Navy SEAL graduate left them with a dangerous condition called rhabdomyolysis, the university said. A spokesperson for the university previously said five remained hospitalized.

The September 16 workout was instructed by a Tufts alumnus who is a โ€œrecent graduate of the BUD/S Navy SEAL training program,โ€ which stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, according to Patrick Collins, Executive Director of Media Relations for the university.

โ€œApproximately 50 team members participated in the workout. All have been evaluated by medical professionals, with a total of nine requiring hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo),โ€ Collins said in an updated statement Monday. โ€œThree remain hospitalized.โ€

Rhabdomyolysis or rhabdo โ€“ a rare condition that can be life-threatening โ€“ happens when muscles break down, possibly even disintegrate, after a strenuous workout, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The broken-down muscle fibers can contain large amounts of elements such as potassium and phosphate that can be released into the bloodstream, causing complications with the kidneys, the Cleveland Clinic says.

โ€œThe most common symptoms are feeling like prolonged kind of muscle stiffness and discomfort and weakness,โ€ Dr. Shruti Gupta, an associate physician at Brigham and Womenโ€™s Hospital who specializes in kidney disease, told CNN affiliate WCVB in an interview while explaining more about the condition. โ€œUsually we see these cases more in isolation and so itโ€™s puzzling for it to happen in particularly โ€ฆ people who are athletes.โ€

Following the workout and hospitalizations, Tufts University has postponed team practice and appointed an external independent investigator to review what happened.

โ€œThe university continues to closely monitor the condition of the team, and some individual team members have been medically cleared to resume training,โ€ Collins said. โ€œThe team is a tight-knit group of young men who have shown remarkable resilience, understanding and care for each other throughout this episode. We will continue to monitor and work with them closely, and we hope for a rapid return to good health for all involved.โ€

What causes rhabdomyolysis?

Dr. Robby Sikka, a sports physician doctor who serves as medical director for the Professional Tennis Players Association, said cases of rhabdomyolysis often occur in high school or collegiate athletes when they return from breaks in training.

โ€œA typical time of year when we see it in athletes is in the off-season, or getting ramped back up,โ€ Sikka, who also serves as a team physician for the New York Yankees, told CNN.

Sikka said certain nutritional supplements, including increased caffeine and creatine, can add to the risk of rhabdomyolysis, although itโ€™s not clear those contributed to the cases at Tufts.

CNNโ€™s Meg Tirrell contributed to this report.

The-CNN-Wire
โ„ข & ยฉ 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Related Articles

Playoff QBs include a hometown recruit, a prep title rematch and some 1-year hired guns Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi Stateโ€™s Van Buren, Calโ€™s Mendoza enter portal USC's JuJu Watkins reaches 1,000 points in 2 fewer games than Caitlin Clark Bird flu is confirmed in hospitalized Canadian teen
Share This

Popular

Crime|Education|MidEast|Political|US

Cornell student protester facing deportation leaves the US on his 'own terms' after losing faith

Cornell student protester facing deportation leaves the US on his 'own terms' after losing faith
Education|Health|Sports

No stigma for Bueckers, Van Lith or Fudd. The basketball stars seek out mental health professionals

No stigma for Bueckers, Van Lith or Fudd. The basketball stars seek out mental health professionals
Education|Food|Health|Political|US

There's a new push to put whole milk back in school meals. Here's what you should know

There's a new push to put whole milk back in school meals. Here's what you should know
Education|Health|Sports

'Very grateful': Michigan track coaches help save student who suffered cardiac arrest

'Very grateful': Michigan track coaches help save student who suffered cardiac arrest

Education

Economy|Education|Political|Sports|US

In recruiting battle, lawmakers weigh whether to give college athletes a tax break on NIL earnings

In recruiting battle, lawmakers weigh whether to give college athletes a tax break on NIL earnings
Economy|Education|Food|Health|Political|US

Cuts to food stamps and Medicaid could imperil this California Republican

Cuts to food stamps and Medicaid could imperil this California Republican
Education|Election|Political|US

Wisconsin voters to choose top education official and consider voter ID amendment

Wisconsin voters to choose top education official and consider voter ID amendment
Education|Environment|Europe|World

Schools shut on Greek islands after heavy rainstorms flood roads

Schools shut on Greek islands after heavy rainstorms flood roads

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In