Military training is regarded as the optimum test of physical fitness. New workout programs like Cross-Fit, boot camp, P90X and Insanity strive to emulate that training. Unfortunately, this intense physical drilling has lead to a variety of injuries that can be avoided with proper precautions.
One prominent and life threatening injury is exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER). ER is the
result of dramatic muscle breakdown allowing release of enzymes into the blood
stream. Once these enzymes reach
toxic levels, they lead to renal failure and potential death.
Non-physical causes of ER include drugs, illness and
physical compression. Most cases
are the result of a combination of physical and non-physical causes.
In a recent lecture at the University of Connecticut, Dr.
Francis O’Connor, a military physician and researcher who has been studying ER
for many years, reviewed many of his findings of military recruits and their
relevance for all athletes.
Most serious cases of ER are experienced in military
recruits during basic training.
This finding relates to the inability of athletes to acclimate to a new
level of performance. Gradually
increasing exercise tolerance is crucial.
Intense drilling and the use of exercise and dehydration as
punishment is another common factor in patients who experience ER. Coaches and personal trainers must
rethink these time-honored practices of pushing athletes beyond their limits to
produce physical “toughness.”
Underlying illness, most notably influenza, is a common
predisposing factor to ER. The
typical aches and pains experienced with the flu is actually a form of muscle
inflammation and breakdown.
Attempts to use exercise to alleviate this discomfort only escalate the
damage.
Supplements designed to improve athletic performance often
contain stimulants like DMAA that increase body temperature and blood
pressure. These supplements also
diminish an athlete’s ability to recognize physical limits and allow them to push
beyond muscle tolerance.
Intense exercise can improve overall fitness but caution
will avoid potential tragedy.
