South Korean Soldier Hospitalized for Two Weeks After Being Forced to do 100 Pushups
I have never heard of something like this before. Who doing too many pushups can land you in the hospital for two weeks?:
A soldier at a front-line military unit in Gangwon Province developed rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle condition, after a superior allegedly forced him to continue doing push-ups despite repeated requests to stop.
Authorities from the Ministry of National Defense said they are investigating the incident following a formal complaint from the victim’s family, who allege abuse of authority, abuse and assault.
The episode occurred March 9 during a physical training session when a company commander ordered soldiers to complete a run and 100 push-ups. The victim was exercising with a fellow soldier when the offender intervened. At approximately 15 repetitions, the sergeant allegedly pushed on his back, criticized his form and forced him to continue doing push-ups.
The soldier explicitly asked to stop three times, telling his superior, “I’m too exhausted, sergeant,” “I don’t think this is right” and “I don’t think I can do this because I’m exhausted.” The sergeant ignored his requests, forcing the victim to complete nearly 100 repetitions before the soldier began breathing heavily and stopped.
The soldier experienced immediate arm pain and sleep disturbances. He visited the medical unit two days later, where he passed dark urine after receiving an intravenous drip. A blood test at the Armed Forces Pocheon Hospital showed his creatine kinase (CK) level had reached 40,000 U/L. The normal range is 50 to 200 U/L.
At his family’s request, the victim underwent a second test at a civilian university hospital, where his CK level surged to 77,380 U/L. Medical staff diagnosed him with severe rhabdomyolysis alongside symptoms of kidney failure and arrhythmia. He required two weeks of inpatient care and continues outpatient treatment.
“If they had stopped when he asked them to stop, this would not have happened,” the family said, demanding a thorough investigation and punishment for those responsible.
You can read more at the link.
Framing a training mishap as an offense with a “victim” destroys a military. It is unfortunate, but there will always be a cost in the business. We do as much as possible to mitigate the cost, but if so adverse to risk that a military must stop demanding physical exercise merely at a soldier’s request, then no training will ever get done.
I wonder if he does crossfire in his off time.
Its highly structured and super duper scientific exercise plans have been known to cause that condition.
Another side effect is crappy form on pullups.
Sounds like poor physical conditioning, not enough hydration, and possibly mild alcohol abuse.
But the family sounds like they are being advised by bad lawyers. Their first priority should be to get the son into an ICU to save his kidneys.
“To prevent exertional rhabdomyolysis, it is critical to stay properly hydrated and gradually introduce new or intense workouts rather than diving into extreme regimens. Avoid exercising in extreme heat without proper acclimatization and fluid intake.”
Crossfit autocorrected to crossfire but I think everyone caught my drift.
Uncle Rhabdo is crossfits unofficial mascot.
Sample workout for time and rest periods as needed to completion:
100 body weight squats
200 push-ups
5 or so pull-ups followed by about 150 kipping pull ups
100 medicine ball throws
50 kettle bell raises
3x dialysis a week for life