A 13-year-old Chinese boy was reportedly diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition, after being instructed to perform 1,000 squats as punishment during a recent camp.

According to reports, the boy’s mother, identified as Ms Lu, recently revealed the tragic circumstances around the “punishment” that’s threatening to leave him with a disability.

It’s understood that the incident occurred during a seven-day camp for teens where things seemed to be going well until graduation day.

His parents were said to have received pictures from the ceremony in which their son had visibly red eyes and a sad expression.

Camp organisers assured the parents their son was fine after his father noted that one of his legs appeared limp.

It’s further reported that the severity of his condition was realised after they came to pick him up from camp, where he was seen seated on a stool as he could barely stand.

It was only after questioning their son that they found out he was subjected to a rigorous 1000 squats as punishment after instructors reportedly caught him talking during a drill before graduation.

The teen reportedly collapsed from pain after performing 200 squats, after which he was reportedly left on the ground to grovel and only assisted to a stool once the parents began arriving.

After being taken to the hospital to assess the severity of his condition, he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition typically caused by high-intensity exercise over a short time. It causes the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscles and, if left untreated, can affect the liver and kidneys.

It’s reported that the teen was discharged after two weeks. However, the teen is still unable to live a normal life as his leg muscles have become atrophied, in addition to liver and kidney damage.

After initially denying fault, the camp organisers eventually reportedly agreed to a settlement with the parents after the boy’s account was corroborated by other children.