Elite athlete with rhabdomyolysis after a world extreme conditioning competition: A case report

Stress rhabdomyolysis is especially common after extreme conditioning exercise programs, such as CrossFit®. This study aimed to better understand the conditions surrounding rhabdomyolysis in elite CrossFit® athlete to prevent new cases. Blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, and urine summary of a 36-year-old CrossFit® athlete were analyzed after an injury during the first match of the last day of a world competition (Reebok CrossFit Games® 2018). On the day of the injury, great abdominal distension was noted. The creatine kinase (CK) values were 42,040 U/L, and after 72 h, these values reached 82,443 U/L. After 6 days, abdominal ultrasound was performed to identify areas of hemorrhage and rupture in the rectus abdominis bilaterally and throughout. After 8 days, blood tests showed elevated levels of enzymes other than CK, such as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and CK levels were also observed. The urine summary showed an increase in the red blood cell level and the presence of hemoglobin. After 15 days, the examinations were repeated, and the AST, ALT, LDH, and CK levels decreased by 92.6%, 72.7%, 71.7%, and 99.6%, respectively. Thus, suspected rhabdomyolysis was confirmed.