The University of Kent’s Respiratory Clinic test Huddersfield Town Football Club ahead of new season.

On July 1st, Dr John Dickinson and the Respiratory Clinic team from the University of Kent Sport and Exercise Science department travelled to Huddersfield Town FC’s training ground to carry out a series of lung function tests with the first team players.

Dr Dickinson, Reader and Head of the Respiratory Clinic based at the Medway Campus, has tested Olympians and elite athletes from almost every sport including: Premier League footballers, GB cyclists and members of Team Sky. The series of tests completed by Dr John Dickinson and the Respiratory Clinic team screen athletes for impaired lung function and a form of asthma called exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).

This type of screening is particularly important for football players as a recent study produced by the University of Kent, found that 29% of elite football players had exercise induced bronchoconstriction, which can affect aerobic performance. Through the screening process, such as that carried out with Huddersfield Town FC, elite players can be correctly treated for EIB which can significantly improve their airway health and therefore lead to improved aerobic fitness and performance on the field.

The Respiratory Clinic team carried out this important screening in all of the first team players as part of their two day pre-season testing. Results from the testing were fed directly back to the team doctor who then able to provide appropriate support to players based on the evidence from the assessments.

Dr John Dickinson and the Respiratory Clinic based at the Medway campus, continue to test a range of elite athletes and conduct novel research in this specialised field. This allows the undergraduate students here at the Medway Campus invaluable access to research lead learning and the opportunity for applied practice in an elite