Three Cases Of Exercise-Induced Rhabdomyolysis: A Potential Hazard In University Students Participating In Orientation Programs

Most students entering universities will participate in the orientation programs organised by the universities, residential halls and departments. Many of these programs involve strenuous exercises and yet not being closely supervised by recognised physical trainers. Some students are not accustomed to heavy exercises. Still they may have to complete such tasks under peer pressure and sometimes in adverse environmental conditions. This makes them prone to develop exercise-induced/exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER). The hallmark symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are non-specific. As a result, it is often under-diagnosed. We described three cases of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis in college students diagnosed in the accident and emergency department. All cases were managed successfully with supportive care in emergency medicine ward though the initial creatine kinase levels were alarming. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2011;18:437-440)