The University of Kent’s dedicated Respiratory Clinic has been selected to screen the entire GB Boxing team.
Following the success of work undertaken by Dr John Dickinson from the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games, the latest project will involve in-depth analysis and screening of GB Boxers for exercise induced asthma (EIA).
The research will provide information to athletes and the team’s coaches to help reduce respiratory issues they are reporting during their training and competition.
The University of Kent’s Respiratory Clinic, which has a permanent base within Medway Park’s sports facilities, conducts research and consultancy around the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of EIA and dysfunctional breathing problems during exercise.
The latest screening activity with GB Boxing is scheduled to take place throughout March at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. It is likely to extend to support the athletes throughout 2014 and into the run up to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
Dr Dickinson, Respiratory Physiologist at the Respiratory Clinic and the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science, said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with GB Boxing to provide athletes and their coaches with important information to assist with improving their performance, both when training and in competitions. The prospect of assisting GB Boxers in the build-up to Rio 2016 is an exciting one.’
Dr Dickinson has been leading testing of Britain’s elite athletes in this area of expertise since 2003. His experience includes testing over 1,000 elite athletes, spanning all Olympic and many professional sports, such as rugby and Premier League football, as well as celebrities for Sport Relief.
The School of Sport and Exercise Science is based at the University’s Medway campus.