2,000-Squat Bet Leaves Young Man With 50% Kidney Function Loss, Doctors Warn Against Excessive Workout – News18
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A 20-year-old from Russia was hospitalised with rhabdomyolysis after attempting 2,000 squats. His kidney function dropped to 50 percent, showing the risks of extreme workouts.
Doctors warn against extreme workouts without guidance. (Representative Image)
A young man’s overconfidence in his physical abilities led to a medical crisis, highlighting the dangers of extreme physical exertion. A 20-year-old from the Primorsky Krai region of Russia was hospitalised at Vladivostok Clinical Hospital after attempting an extraordinary fitness challenge that resulted in severe health complications.
According to doctors in the hospital’s nephrology department, the young man had made a bet with a friend, claiming he could complete 2,000 squats in a single session. While the feat may sound impressive, it quickly turned into a nightmare. Within hours of completing the challenge, the young man experienced severe swelling in his legs, excruciating pain, and alarming symptoms – including dark brown urine and a complete halt in urination. Frightened by his deteriorating condition, he sought medical help, leading to a diagnosis that shocked him.
Doctors diagnosed him with Rhabdomyolysis, a rare but potentially fatal condition that occurs when excessive muscle breakdown releases toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins, primarily creatine kinase and myoglobin, can overload the kidneys, leading to severe damage or even failure. In his case, medical tests revealed that his kidney function had dropped to just 50% of normal capacity.
If left untreated, rhabdomyolysis can result in permanent kidney damage, heart complications, or death. Fortunately, the hospital’s nephrology team was able to stabilise his condition without the need for dialysis. However, doctors warned that his full recovery will take anywhere from three months to a year, requiring specialised treatment and careful monitoring.
The hospital released an official statement on the incident, cautioning against reckless fitness challenges. Strength is not just about physical achievement but also about knowing how to protect one’s body, the hospital said, ading tha while regular exercise was beneficial, pushing the body beyond its limits could lead to disastrous consequences.
This case serves as a stark warning to fitness enthusiasts worldwide – particularly young individuals who engage in extreme workouts without professional guidance. The obsession with achieving unrealistic fitness goals has become increasingly common, especially among gym-goers and social media influencers. However, medical professionals emphasise that gym trainers, while knowledgeable about physical training, are not medical experts. Overtraining can have severe consequences that even experienced trainers may not foresee.
In several states across India including Telangana, fitness culture is growing rapidly, with young people spending excessive hours in gyms striving for extreme physique goals. However, doctors stress the importance of understanding one’s own physical limits and listening to the body’s signals to avoid serious medical conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
It remains unclear what reward the Russian man was hoping to claim from his 2,000-squat bet, but the price he paid for his overconfidence was far greater than anticipated. As his case gains attention, the message is clear – no fitness challenge is worth risking one’s health.
