Don’t Blame Creatine
The big story is that 19 players from McMinnville HS in Oregon were hospitalized with elevated levels of creatine kinase. The bigger story is that the folks in the media hear creatine and blame the supplement the players might have been taking.
No one blames the idiot Coach who had the players indoors in the wrestling room exercising in 115 degree heat. Must be the supplements. How about rhabdomyolysis? Guess what one of the primary symptoms is? Elevated levels of creatine kinase.
Maybe someone should ask the coach what went on in the wrestling room?
According to MedicineNet.com:
“Rhabdomyolysis (RAB-DOE-MY-O-LIE-SIS) is the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle resulting in leakage into the urine of the muscle protein myoglobin.”
“Myoglobin is a protein component of the muscle cells that is released into the blood when the skeletal muscle is destroyed in rhabdomyolysis. Creatine kinase is an enzyme (a protein that facilitates chemical reactions in the body) also in the muscle cells. The level of each of these proteins can be measured in blood to monitor the degree of muscle injury from rhabdomyolysis.” Myoglobin can also be measured in samples of urine.”
It is amazing how quick we are to blame a supplement that actually has a pretty good track record for safety. Writers need to do a little research before “reporting”.
Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog 
November 5, 2013 at 1:34 am
[…] this blog Mike Boyle advises writers to do their research before jumping to conclusions and uses a recent […]
April 25, 2011 at 3:23 am
[…] Don't Blame Creatine « Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog […]
August 26, 2010 at 4:07 pm
[…] this blog Mike Boyle advises writers to do their research before jumping to conclusions and uses a recent […]
August 26, 2010 at 7:15 am
Lab results are coming in. Looks like no supplements used so far http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/742668115043380595/mcminnville-football-parent-blood-test-shows-my-son-hadnt-taken-anything/
August 23, 2010 at 8:16 pm
The training tactics that the coach used in an excessively hot environment should be at the center of the investigation. Training on a Sunday in high school?
What also goes over looked is what underlying medical conditions may some of these student-athletes have? If any of these kids had the sickle-cell trait, this situation would have most likely had a tragic ending. Sickle-cell trait plus an severe acute Rhabdomyolysis has all the makings of of a disastrous outcome (plus a lawsuit). The long term effects Rhabdomyolysis itself can last up to a year in some cases. Creatine Kinase levels can remain significantly elevated for months after an acute bout of Rhabdomyolysis.
This coach probably lost a significant number of his players for a good portion of the season or the entire season.
August 23, 2010 at 7:08 pm
What are the odds of 19 HS football players on the same team having compartment syndrome simultaneously?!?!? The odds are better of winning the lottery. Sounds like everyone wants to pin it on something/somebody other than the what appears based on the facts we’re currently aware of, the obvious….the coach.
Also, I’m thinking Albert Haynesworth doesn’t have rhabdo but just didn’t get his lazy butt in shape in the off-season and now wants to blame everyone/everything but himself. Look in the mirror, Albert!