In an incident that startled the sporting community, nine Tufts University men’s lacrosse players were hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after a training session.
The university has now confirmed that all the affected athletes have been discharged and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of these severe injuries.
The Sudden Illness
The athletes fell ill following a 45-minute workout session led by a university alumnus who had recently completed the rigorous BUD/S Navy SEAL training program. This workout, described as ‘voluntary and supervised,’ saw about 50 participants, with nine of them ending up in the hospital.
According to Patrick Collins, the Executive Director of Media Relations for Tufts University, the condition, known as rhabdomyolysis or ‘rhabdo,’ results from muscle breakdown that releases harmful components into the bloodstream. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney damage and be life-threatening.
Initial Reactions and Concerns
University President Sunil Kumar and two deans expressed their gratitude for the players’ recovery in an update to students. ‘We want to express how grateful we are that the team members have returned to good health,’ they wrote.
The severity of the situation prompted Tufts to hire experts to look into the matter. D. Rod Walters II, a recognized authority on student-athlete injuries, and attorney Randy Aliment from Lewis Brisbois law firm have been appointed to investigate the cause and assess the university’s response.
Understanding Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a relatively rare but serious condition.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that it can be life-threatening, especially in severe cases where it leads to kidney damage. The condition can occur when athletes resume intense workouts after a break in training, especially during the off-season.
Potential Contributing Factors
Dr. Robby Sikka, a sports medicine physician and medical director for the Professional Tennis Players Association, noted that rhabdomyolysis cases often arise when athletes return from breaks in training. ‘A typical time of year when we see it in athletes is in the off-season or getting ramped back up,’ he said.
Clusters of rhabdomyolysis have been documented among athletes, such as college football players in Iowa in 2011 and swimmers in South Carolina in 2007. Nutritional supplements like caffeine and creatine might also elevate the risk, although their role in the Tufts cases is unclear.
University’s Commitment to Investigation
In a letter to the university community, Tufts officials acknowledged the many questions raised by this incident. ‘We know you have lots of questions,’ they wrote. ‘Frankly, we do as well.’
The university emphasised that it is following best practices for investigations and will refrain from making public statements to avoid influencing the direction of the independent investigation. Findings will be shared upon the investigation’s conclusion.
The quick response and ongoing investigation highlight Tufts University’s commitment to student-athlete safety. The affected players’ discharge from the hospital marks a positive step forward as the university seeks to understand and prevent such incidents in the future.
Bringing in experts to examine the incident signifies a robust approach to addressing the risks associated with intense athletic training. The institution’s transparency and thoroughness in handling the situation may serve as a model for other universities to follow.
