A condition sometimes known as “silent killer” can be triggered by running and other forms of high-intensity exercise.
According to Runners World, rhabdomyolysis, commonly known as “rhabdo”, occurs when muscle cell contents seep into the bloodstream.
Professor William O. Roberts explained: “Almost anyone who works out to improve performance will release or leak some creatine kinase into the blood stream, but this becomes a problem when the muscle cell releases contents like potassium or myoglobin, which causes complications.”
Nevertheless, he noted: “The likelihood that you would develop rhabdomyolysis is slim unless you are drastically increasing your training volume or intensity, which can cause all kinds of overuse injuries.”
The NHS’ Scottish Muscle Network states that instances of rhabdo, while rare, are most frequently triggered by exertion, such as “prolonged repetitive exercise with eccentric characteristics, causing muscle tension, strain and injury”, or other factors including falls, extended muscle compression, electric shocks, and third degree burns, as reported by the Liverpool Echo
Symptoms can include muscle cramps or aches that are more intense than anticipated, dark-coloured urine, and experiencing weakness or fatigue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms symptoms can emerge at any point following muscle injury. The report warns: “For some people, symptoms might not start to appear until several days after the initial injury. If you have any of these symptoms at any time, do not ignore them. Seek medical treatment right away.
“Earlier diagnosis means an earlier start to treatment and a greater chance of recovery without permanent health effects.”