Manchester United to use imaging for players' heart research

A research project is using imaging technology to identify the effects of exercise on player's hearts at Manchester United’s Academy.

Players are being put through their paces having their hearts monitored by imaging technology from Toshiba Medical Systems.

Dr Dave Perry, Academy Doctor at Manchester United, said: "The screening will allow examination of their hearts while under intense stress using the Toshiba Artida cardiac ultrasound system. This can be further followed up by the use of the Toshiba Magnetic Resonance Image scanner (MRI) to provide comprehensive assessment of CVS health and fitness. The players are enthused that their information will help to contribute to furthering knowledge about the health of the nation.

“The screening process will help to provide reassurance to the player’s parents that their son is capable of withstanding the demands that training at an elite level requires. Parents frequently ask me with regard to the risks of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) while exercising and the current pathway will hopefully provide some reassurance.  

“It is hoped that the information from the fitness assessment will help to develop and fine tune the club’s Sports Science Department training programmes.”

The project, led by the Bristol Heart Institute at the University of Bristol together with partners Toshiba Medical Systems, Bristol’s Clinical Research and Imaging Centre (CRICBristol), the University of Exeter‘s Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre and Manchester United, will identify the healthy limits and the wider benefits of exercise for young elite athletes, normal healthy children and children with congenital heart defects.