Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis is not more severe or frequent after Crossfit than after Running or Strength training programs

Abstract

Objective: Rhabdomyolysis is the death (lysis) of muscle fibers due to direct or indirect muscle injury, with release of the fiber content into the bloodstream. Several conditions are triggering the rhabdomyolysis, for example, changes in body temperature, intoxications and strenuous exercise. Although often the condition of the disease in question are associated with programs of extreme conditioning, specifically to Crossfit, there are few scientific data that prove such a relationship or lack thereof. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and severity of cases of rhabdomyolysis in different modalities of training, Crossfit, strength training and Running. Method: A case study was carried out in 20 clinics in the city of Belém in the state of Pará. Data analysis was used to characterize the sample. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was used and, based on the results, the data were submitted to non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The results showed that no differences were found between the proportions (χ² = 3.44; p = 0.17). Conclusions: The frequency of cases and their severity is similar between running, training and Crossfit.