MEDFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – Five members of the Tufts men’s lacrosse team were still hospitalized Friday afternoon, days after student athletes participated in a workout with a graduate of a Navy SEAL training program, a university spokesman said.

The voluntary, supervised training took place Monday and lasted 45 minutes. A Tufts alumnus who recently completed the BUD/S Navy SEAL program led the training, according to Patrick Collins, executive director of media relations at Tufts.

Collins said 12 members of the team were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis after the workout. Also known as “rhabdo,” rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its contents into the bloodstream, as described by the Centers of Disease Control.

Rhabdomyolysis is often the result of overexertion and can be life-threatening.

“In principle, you can induce rhabdomyolysis in anyone if you overwhelm them with an exercise program that exceeds their ability. For example, let’s say you force someone to do an hour of spinning even though they’ve never done it before in their life, but they can run and therefore can keep up with the activity,” said Dr. Todd Cutler of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.

Although five students were hospitalized Friday, Collins said the number of confirmed rhabdomyolysis cases and hospitalizations is subject to change.

“Our thoughts are with the players and their families and we hope that under the care of local medical experts they will make a speedy recovery,” Collins said.

In the meantime, Collins said, university officials will “closely monitor the status of the rest of the team.”

“Many patients need to stay in the hospital for a long time, especially when the quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings are affected – the largest muscle groups in the body. However, in some cases, a longer hospital stay may not be necessary,” Cutler said.

Collins said Tufts has postponed all team practices until each team member has been examined and medically cleared to participate.

“We are still learning the circumstances of this situation,” Collins said. “Given the severity of the situation, the university is engaging an outside, independent investigator to conduct a thorough investigation as quickly as possible with the goal of taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our student-athletes.”

As members of the lacrosse team recover, other Tufts students share their reactions.

“It’s tragic,” said Cameron McLeod, a member of Tufts’ track and field team. “We always try to avoid this kind of thing. But it happens and hopefully he recovers quickly.”

Tess Player, who also participates in Tufts’ athletics programs, said offseason training is about “doing what you feel comfortable with.”

“Of course you try to get healthy,” she said. “But we don’t want to hurt anyone or make them sick or anything like that.”

“I’m sure we want to ensure the safety of all of our athletes,” said Cole Anderson, a member of the Tufts track and field team. “I wish the best for those who were hospitalized.”

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