McMinnville football practice on as usual after alarming training camp
McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Football practice starts Monday at McMinnville High School, after several players were hospitalized this past week during an intense training camp.
Some of those players even needed emergency surgery.
Fourteen players were sent to the hospital, and more than 30 of the high-school players had to be evaluated. Many of those players were diagnosed with "compartment syndrome," a condition of increased pressure within the muscle that can keep blood from flowing and damage muscle tissues and nerves.
In this case, the players' triceps swelled up. We still don't know what caused it, and players deny taking any training supplements.
As of Sunday six players remained at Willamette Valley Medical Center. However, the nursing supervisor there says all six are in "good condition." Those six players could be released from the hospital Monday. The young athletes who are cleared to play will begin practice Monday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Hospital staff did say on Friday they are testing the players for anything they may have eaten or drank – including training supplements – that may have led to developing the condition. On Friday Willamette Valley Medical Center's Public Information Officer, Rosemary Davis, told KATU the players are being tested for creatine, a legal supplement available at such retailers as GNC. Studies have linked the amino acid compound to compartment syndrome.
However, doctors say the condition also could be caused from exercising in the heat, not drinking enough water or certain kinds of exercises.
Blood samples have to be shipped out of state to North Carolina. Davis said the lab there tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so they should have results by Wednesday.
McMinnville's school superintendent says her investigation found the workouts the athletes were doing during their week-long summer training camp were reasonable. She also defended the head football coach who supervised the camp.
"I don’t think anyone would have anticipated this outcome," said McMinnville Public Schools Superintendent Maryalice Russell, "including the coach."
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