HENRIETTA, N.Y. (WROC) - Several men's lacrosse players at Tufts University in Massachusetts were recently hospitalized after a supervised workout left them with a dangerous condition that causes the muscles to break down. If left untreated, it can be fatal. A dozen Tufts lacrosse players were diagnosed with a rare muscle injury Now, URMC leaders are aiming to shine a light on Rhabdomyolysis and ways athletes can prevent it. Josh Leadem is a graduate student at the University of Rochester. He's also a pitcher and outfielder for the university's baseball team. "For me, playing sports my whole life, I never knew this existed. So, I guess it's just being more informed on what to look for symptoms-wise, so I know that I can't push myself past a certain point," said Leadem. Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition that causes muscles to deteriorate, which can lead to kidney damage. In some cases, it can also be deadly. Doctors say it's found in athletes often at times of over-exertion, dehydration and trauma. "It's signs of dehydration, muscle cramping, and muscle spasms. Then, they'll start to have more catastrophic findings where you might find them losing consciousness at times. If you are suspicious of an athlete beginning to show signs of this, they need immediate medical care," said Dr. Michael Maloney, chief of sports medicine with Fitness Science at URMC. URMC's Fitness Science program at the new Orthopedics Campus in Henrietta is working to educate athletes of all sports and all ages with the right training to help prevent the condition from forming. "If you're talking more younger populations, it's going to be more specific to team sports specifically at those younger ages. That's something we see with more intense sports at younger ages. It's how they're trying to separate themselves. Sometimes, that's working harder at practice, and that's where these things become a risk if you haven't worked that hard prior. The more athletes are exposed to activities that could cause this, the higher the risk," said Conner Lorenzo, director of operations for Fitness Science and CHAMPP at URMC. It's why medical professionals stress whether you are an amateur or high-intensity athlete, taking time to rest is key. "It's taking care of the whole athlete. We really want to be able to provide them with those tools to help them be their best. Maybe not the best in what they do, but their own personal best and emphasizing their own wellness," said Dr. Maloney. You can find URMC's experts at the Orthopaedics Campus at Marketplace Mall. They accept both referrals and walk-ins. URMC also works closely with local schools and colleges on site. For more information on the program, click here.