Iowa under pressure

Last Monday, 13 football players for the University of Iowa were hospitalized with a rhabdomyolysis, “a stress-induced syndrome that can damage cells and cause kidney damage and even failure in severe cases” that can affect otherwise healthy people after strenuous exercise, according to the Associated Press.

The hospitalizations followed a week of grueling workouts after the players returned from winter break. The coaching and strength staff has since stated that the workouts were nothing unusual compared to previous years.

While an incident or two of the syndrome would be unfortunate, the widespread occurrence — which has affected players from every class and several positions — points to wrongdoings by the football staff.

Athletes face a variety of pressures to compete and practice hard for their coaches as they hope to improve personally and move up within their own teams. For this reason, they may have endured overly strenuous workouts even while feeling that something was amiss.

Even during fitness classes I take at the gym, I find myself unwilling to give up on a drill when I see the women around me persevering. If they are still squatting, I will squat too until my legs shake with the effort. Imagine how much more so the football players were willing to persist to support their team, making themselves vulnerable to overeager coaches.

While the off-season is often when players can make the most gains in strength and skill, coaches must take into account the fact that some athletes may not keep up with their workouts over school vacations, as well as other variables.

The records show that some of the players complained of unusual soreness and urine discoloration in the days preceding their hospitalization. While the university has not specified how the coaches responded to these complaints, the illnesses indicate that not enough was done. The workouts continued and the players got sicker.

Luckily the players have been responding well to bed rest and fluids and several have already returned to school. Iowa and other colleges must strive to ensure safe environments for their athletes if they hope to keep their athletes healthy and in the best possible shape.