The University of Houston are under internal investigation after the claim by one anonymous student that workouts were used as a punishment for the women's soccer team
The University of Houston women's soccer coach has been accused of forcing players to do 'punishment workouts' that led to serious injuries, one being hospitalized for five days.
A student, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke out to Houston Channel 2, about the exercises allegedly enforced by staff in February last year.
She claimed the team was punished with excessive up-down, planks and shuttle runs to point that people 'were crying' and could 'barely push themselves off the ground.'
Two players had allegedly stolen food intended for the football team, she claimed, which lead coaches to start the 'punishment workouts.'
She claimed that Head Coach Diego Bocanegra shouted at them: 'Get up, Get the f*** up. This is your fault. Get up.'
After the ordeal finished one student checked herself into hospital, after developing what looked like 'a tennis ball sticking out of her arm.'
She was kept under observation for five days after being diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, shortened to 'Rhabdo.'
The syndrome brought on by extreme stress causes muscle fibers to die, releasing toxins into the bloodstream, according to WebMD.
This can lead to organ damage, including kidney failure that in rare cases can lead to death.
There will now be a joint investigation by the institution's System Audit and Compliance, with a statement from University of Houston calling for 'swift action' to ensure the 'health and well being' of students.
One anonymous student (above) spoke out to Houston Channel 2, and explained that the punishment workouts left students 'crying'
The field at the University of Houston where the women's soccer team play
Head Coach Diego Bocanegra (above) pictured on a training pitch with other students, it's claimed that he was one of the staff enforcing the 'workout punishments'
This is a serious syndrome as caused by injury to the muscles
Results from the death of muscle fibres that release acid into the bloodstream.
It can lead to renal kidney failure, meaning the organ cannot remove waste or concentrated urine
In rare cases this can lead to death, but quick treatment speed up the recovery
Listed traumatic causes can include: a crash injury or accident, long-lasting muscle compression, electric shock, a snake or insect bite
Listed non-traumatic causes can include: excessive muscle strain, use of drugs or alcohol, certain medications, high body temperature, seizures, infections, diseases and more.
Source: WebMD
The student told Channel 2 that players felt 'tortured almost' afterwards, she said: "Others are scared to speak out and I am too, but someone has to.
'He just told us to get up and go to the center of the field, and we all knew -- we have done up-downs before as a punishment -- so we all knew we were going to do up-downs and it was just a matter of how many.
'I was just so mad and confused because, of course, I was going to keep going 'cause I'm scared, but I'm looking at everyone else and people were crying, barely pushing themselves off the ground.'
There have been 'multiple diagnoses' of Rhabdo from the sports teams, according to press statements released by University of Houston (UoH).
In a pledge to students regarding their safety released online, Athletics Director Chris Pezman wrote that he would ensure activities are as 'safe' as they are 'fulfilling.'
He explained in April this year,
