[Sportschosun Reporter Jang Jong-ho] A university student in his 20s in China was rushed to emergency treatment for acute kidney failure after intense exercise intended to build muscle. Medical staff warned that excessive workouts can trigger rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle tissue is damaged, and said beginners should increase intensity gradually.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), a 23-year-old university student identified as A, who lives in Henan Province, China, recently developed hematuria after repeatedly performing high-intensity lower-body workouts. His condition later worsened to the point that he was barely able to urinate, prompting him to go to the hospital. He was reportedly in such serious condition upon arrival that he had difficulty walking on his own.
Tests showed that A had rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle cells rapidly break down and release toxic substances into the bloodstream, as well as acute kidney failure caused by the condition. Rhabdomyolysis is a dangerous disorder in which damage and necrosis of skeletal muscle cause proteins in the muscle, especially myoglobin, to enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to kidney damage and electrolyte imbalance. Common symptoms include severe muscle pain, muscle weakness, and cola-colored or dark reddish urine.
The medical team that treated A explained, "The cause was excessively intense lower-body exercise," adding, "The problem appears to have occurred because he focused too heavily on leg workouts."
They also said creatine kinase (CK) levels, which indicate the extent of muscle damage, were more than 100 times the normal range, leading the team to begin emergency dialysis.
The medical staff pointed out that the risk can rise sharply when someone who has not been exercising suddenly starts intense strength training.
They added, "When you first start exercising, you should increase intensity step by step. It is also important to drink enough water, about 200 to 300 mL every 30 minutes during exercise," and emphasized, "In hot and humid weather, avoid overexertion, and if muscle pain becomes severe, stop exercising immediately."
Reporter Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
