Furious families have launched legal proceedings against a school after nearly 20 students allegedly suffered life-threatening injuries from being “tortured” by doing between 300 and 420 push-ups in class. A lawsuit filed in Texas, US, alleges the head football coach at the Texas Leadership Charter Academy (TLCA), in San Angelo, ordered a class to perform “continuous, whistle-driven push-ups for an entire class period, about 45 minutes or more, without water, rest or breaks.”
The filing continues to claim that around 80 students took part in the gruelling physical training while five coaches walked between them “berating any child who showed signs of fatigue”. The legal documents allege that on the following day students were unable to raise their arms to eat, brush their teeth or even dress themselves.
According to Atlanta News First, the punishing exercise routine continued for two more days.
The news site reported the lawsuit read: “This case is about adults who tortured children. When children collapsed, the coaches ordered them to get up and continue.
“When children cried out in pain, the coaches mocked them for being weak. When children begged to stop, the coaches blew whistles and demanded more. The gymnasium doors were closed. The children were trapped. And not one adult in that building lifted a finger to help them.”
It’s reported the extreme exercise regime began on February 25 and subsequently 20 children received hospital treatment between February 27 and March 2. It’s not clear what the age range was of the youngsters involved.
Lawyers for the families said many were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a serious, potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from rapid skeletal muscle breakdown. The damaged muscle tissue releases proteins into the bloodstream, which can cause kidney and organ damage, the lawsuit said.
Curtis Milbourn, the TLCA school’s compliance director, school officials said: “Because of the pending litigation, as well as HIPAA, FERPA, and employment law considerations, we are unable to comment on the specifics of the allegations.
“The safety, health and education of our students remain our top priority, as reflected in our timely response to the underlying situation. We remain committed to maintaining a safe environment where students can grow, learn and succeed.”
According to the NHS, children should exercise safely annd get medical advice about exercising if they have a health condition. The health body also advises children should do exercise that is suitable for their age, ability and experience and that they should start any new exercise slowly and increase it bit by bit.
