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' What is Rhabdomyolysis? 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, that the message comes 'after a difficult year and a half involving multiple cases of a serious medical condition.' The Athletics alumni center at the University of Houston, an institution where the student alleges that the 'workout punishments' took place Athletics Director Chris Pezman (above) explained that there have been multiple cases of a serious medical condition and that student safety is paramount in a release The soccer pitch where the women's team for University of Houston would have played Before adding: 'Athletics training should never compromise your health and welfare.' The student when speaking to Channel 2 claims that 'fitness punishments' were enforced by staff where they would select the amount of reps per exercises. She recalled, 'One time we didn't have the locker room cleaned and I think we did, like 75, when Diego [Bocanegra] told [Minor] Bowens to stop.' The term 'fitness punishments' was previously listed in the Houston Soccer Player Handbook, Channel 2 revealed. The 'punishments' could be enforced for reasons including missing a tutor session, skipping class and more. This has since been altered after staff reviewed their practices. The anonymous student claims both Head Coach Diego Bocanegra (left) and Minor Bowens (right) Track and Field Coach enforced the 'workout punishments' When approached by Houston Channel 2, Head Coach Diego Bocanegra (above) did not give a comment, later the school would decline an interview request Students on the soccer pitch at University of Houston, where the women's team would have played Coach Bocanegra wrote to Senior Associate Athletic Director Dejuana Chizer in leaked emails from November, received by Channel 2. 'I want to reiterate that I have implemented several changes to help prevent this injury or any other injuries from happening in future,' he wrote. 'For example, we no longer use physical punishment within our team. 'I removed it from our weight room manual and discussed this with out strength and conditioning staff.' In a note released to the media, from May 2, Pezman explained there had been a 'personnel change' to add more staff and that they had altered their strength and conditioning program. They wrote: 'Sports Medicine staff to assist us with identifying and addressing any training practices that may potentially jeopardize the health and welfare of our student-athletes. 'Under no circumstances is strength and conditioning to be used in such a way that it taxes an individual’s physical stamina beyond what is reasonably expected during intercollegiate athletic competition.' One prosecutor, Rick Flores (above) believes the 'workout punishments' constitute hazing, when he spoke to Houston Channel 2 Houston Channel 2 spoke to Rick Flores, a prosecutor, who believed the actions constituted 'hazing'. Above is the school's policy on 'hazing' and what constitutes it Channel 2 spoke to one prosecutor Rick Flores about the alleged actions, that he believes 'fits the statute of 'hazing.' 'It can come from a coach, from a trainer. It can come from an administrator,' Flores said. 'But it's the person at which it's a directed that makes it a criminal statute of hazing.' Flores pointed to Texas law regarding hazing and the University of Houston Athletics Policy and Procedures Manual. Which states it is constituted, if it 'produces or is reasonably likely to produce bodily harm or danger, mental or physical discomfort...' Since the allegations from the unnamed student emerged, the institution are conducting further internal investigations. Their statement read: 'Based on their respective findings, each investigative unit is directed to take swift action and make immediate recommendations to ensure the health and wellbeing of UH student athletes. 'The University will reserve any further comment on this matter until the review is complete.' Dailymail.com reached out to the University of Houston, but did not receive a response prior to the time of publishing. 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