A 23-year-old man in China developed acute kidney failure and required emergency dialysis after an intense leg workout caused severe muscle breakdown.
The 23-year-old university student from central China’s Henan province had reportedly participated in a strenuous lower-body training session at a gym as part of an effort to increase muscle mass. Shortly after the workout, he began experiencing significant pain and swelling in both legs.
The man initially noticed blood in his urine before experiencing a complete loss of urine output. By the time he arrived at the hospital, he was unable to walk without assistance. He was admitted to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue.
According to South China Morning Post, laboratory testing revealed extensive muscle damage. Doctors determined that the patient had developed acute kidney injury as a complication of rhabdomyolysis. Due to the severity of the condition, he underwent emergency blood purification treatment, including dialysis.
Medical staff initiated treatment to remove waste products from the blood and support kidney function. Reports indicated that the patient received prompt medical care following the diagnosis.
According to Vietnam.VN, Dr. Liu Haofei, a nephrologist at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, attributed the condition to prolonged, high-intensity leg workouts that placed excessive strain on the muscles.
Upon admission, the patient's creatine kinase levels had exceeded 20,000 units/liter, more than 100 times higher than normal.Dr. Liu Haofei, Nephrologist, Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The case adds to a number of reported incidents involving exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis following high-intensity workouts.
As reported in South China Morning Post, similar cases of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis have been reported in China in recent years.
Earlier this year, a 24-year-old man from Zhejiang province was hospitalized after developing symptoms of rhabdomyolysis following 20 consecutive days of fitness training. Reports indicated that he had been physically inactive before beginning the workout regimen and exercised daily after work without taking breaks.
In another case reported in 2024, a 26-year-old man from Hubei province increased the intensity of his workouts in an effort to achieve a more defined abdominal physique. After completing an hour of high-intensity exercises, including crunches and leg raises, he experienced severe pain in both thighs the following day and noticed blood in his urine. Medical evaluation later confirmed a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis.
See also: Are You Exercising at the Wrong Time? How Your Body Clock Can Affect Your Workouts
Dr. Liu recommended gradually increasing workout intensity, particularly for individuals who are new to exercise. He also advised maintaining adequate hydration by consuming approximately 200–300 mL of water every 30 minutes during physical activity, South China Morning Post.
No further details regarding the duration of hospitalization or his subsequent recovery were disclosed in the reports.
(Rh/SS)