It would be good for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to impose stricter regulations on university athletic programs. This would have prevented the hospitalization of three college American football players.
Yahoo News reported that the hospitalization of three members of University of Oregon's football team revealed the failings in safety standards at university athletic programs. The publication described the workout that the players went through as "grueling."
The three football players were hospitalized last week after they were subjected to a "punishing fitness session." Other media outlets described it as "military-style training" which included one hour of non-stop push-ups.
One of the three hospitalized students was lineman Sam Poutasi. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which is a high-risk condition that happens when muscle gets so worn out that it leaks into the blood stream.
The University of Oregon suspended Irele Oderinde, the strength and conditioning coach who was responsible for the session, on Tuesday. The head of the football team has already issued a public apology.
Rob Mullens, Oregon's director of athletics, said in a statement that the university holds in high regard the health, safety and well-being of its students. He assured the public that the athletes will be able to return to full health as the school continues to support them in their recovery stage.
According to Oregon Live, Poutasi, along with teammates Doug Brenner and Cam McCormick, were hospitalized at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield on Monday. Their injuries came after they did workouts with the team, returning from holiday break.
Last August, eight volleyball players from Texas Women's University were sent to the hospital. Back in 2011, University of Iowa players were hospitalized due to rhabdomyolysis.
NBC Sports noted that the NCAA should intervene and provide real punishment to those responsible for these unhealthy workouts. It should protect university football players by creating a reliable process to register complaints about abuse during practice and workout.
