Exertional rhabdomyolysis as a result of strenuous military training

We reviewed biochemical data from 19 soldiers who marched intermittently over 4 weeks, carrying about 45 kg of kit, with a limited intake of food and water. The mean serum creatine kinase activity was higher after the march (p < 0.01), although the subjects did not develop symptomatic rhabdomyolysis. The mean serum potassium level (p < 0.005) and the mean serum sodium level (p < 0.05) were lower after the march. The level of serum osmolality showed no significant changes. Subclinical rhabdomyolysis was not rare among the soldiers. We also report a case of the soldier with exertional clinical rhabdomyolysis.