At least three Oregon football players have been hospitalized after participating in offseason strength and conditioning workouts that were described as "akin to military basic training" according to The Oregonian. Offensive linemen Doug Brenner and Sam Poutasi and tight end Cam McCormick are in fair condition and remained at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield on Monday, said a hospital spokeswoman.
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The three players have been in the hospital since last week when they returned from break to participate in the workouts. Poutasi complained of very sore arms after the workouts and had been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a syndrome in which soft muscle tissue is broken down with "leakage into the blood stream of muscle contents," according to the NCAA medical handbook.
Players were required to finish the same "military" workouts with one of them said to have included an hour of continuous up-downs and push-ups. An Oregon official said that no players were seen fainting and another official said that athletic trainers were available to anyone who needed treatment during the workouts. There were some players who said that the severity of the workouts were exaggerated, but then there were some who complained about symptoms of rhabdomyolysis.
Reports of multiple players being affected by the syndrome are rare. In August, eight volleyball players from Texas Women's University were hospitalized. In 2011, 13 players from the University of Iowa were hospitalized due to the syndrome after working out during their winter conditioning program.
[h/t Oregon Live]
