What is ‘rhabdo,’ the life-threatening muscle injury that affected 12 college lacrosse players?

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier discusses the impact of rhabdomyolysis on the human body on 'FOX & Friends Weekend.' After a college lacrosse team reported that several players experienced a severe muscle injury, experts are speaking about the condition.

Tufts University in Massachusetts has launched an investigation after 12 members of the men’s lacrosse team were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis — a rare, life-threatening muscle injury — following a 45-minute "voluntary, supervised" workout on Sept. 16. A total of 50 athletes participated in the workout, which was led by a Tufts graduate who had recently completed Navy SEAL training, according to a statement sent to Fox News Digital on Monday.

'DEAD BUTT SYNDROME' COULD HAPPEN AFTER SITTING TOO LONG, HERE'S HOW TO AVOID THE CONDITION Nine were hospitalized for the condition. As of Monday, three of the student athletes remained in the hospital and are "responding to treatment," Tufts Spokesperson Patrick Collins said in the statement. What is rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis — often referred to as "rhabdo" — is a rare injury that causes the muscles to break down and disintegrate, according to Cleveland Clinic.

After a college lacrosse team reported the same severe muscle injury across multiple players, experts are speaking about the condition. (iStock) It usually happens after a prolonged period of "excessive exercise," trauma (injury), certain medications or an underlying health condition, the clinic no.