"RHABDO": A Scary Side of High-Intensity Training




High Intensity Exercise has been touted for its immediate and quick results. Exercises like high-intensity weight training such as squatting to failure can have disastrous results if not done properly. There’s some evidence that certain medications, including cholesterol-lowering statins and stimulants, along with exercise, or if you are genetically susceptible, may contribute to a debilitating condition known as “rhabdo.”

What is that?

A recent study published in American Journal of Medicine’s April 2017 issue, shows a potential life-threatening condition known as “or “Rhabdo” or Rhabdomyolysis can be the result of pushing yourself too far due to high intensity exercise.
Rhabdo happens when the muscle tissue begins to break down and leak into the circulatory system. This can cause someone to become light-headed, nauseated, or have sore muscle pain in the legs, or tea-colored, brown urine! A classic symptom of rhabdo. Dark colored urine is the result of a protein called myoglobin. Myoglobin is the destruction and breakdown of muscle fibers and release compounds that can be harmful to the liver such as myoglobin and other metabolites. If left untreated it can be life-threatening! This did happen to a woman in her mid-thirties, who was in good shape, that went to a spinning class. After the class, she complained of muscle soreness, which is not unusual, but gradually symptoms escalated into dizziness, nausea, dark-colored urine and shortness of breath.

Wait! Isn’t High-Intensity Exercise Good for Me?

While this is not meant to put you off exercising, this condition can occur if the body is not used to high intensity exercise. MD Editors and Medical staff agree that high-intensity exercise has tremendous benefits, but if you’re not prepared, or used to the routine, it can lead to bad results. The secret is to know your limits and listen to your body. Your body will let you know something is wrong and it’s best not to ignore it.
The idea, whenever you start any exercise program, is to start off slowly and gradually, acclimating yourself to the higher intense workout routine. Also, pay attention to the type of workout that you’re doing. Not everyone can go full throttle into high-intensity exercise. It does take a gradual amount of time to become used to routines that require large bursts of energy.
Also, it must be pointed out that this is not to discourage high-intensity exercises, which can be beneficial if done properly. Remember that pain is a signal to your body that something is wrong. It is best to get things checked out if you are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort – no matter how fit or unfit you may be.


The New York Times, July 18, 2017 Exercise’s Scary Side Effect https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/well/move/as-workouts-intensify-a-harmful-side-effect-grows-more-common.html
American Medical Journal April 2017 Freebie Rhabdomyolysis: A Public Health Concern. Spin Class-Induced Rhabdomyolysis https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(16)31206-2/abstract