How many Liverpool players have asthma?
Liverpool Football Club are one of the most successful teams both domestically and in European competitions. Founded in 1892 and with over 130 years of history, the club have won 70 major competitions including 19 First Division/Premier League titles, 8 FA Cups, 9 League Cups and 6 Champions League titles. In recent years, under manager Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool has had major domestic, European and international success. Under the German, the club has won its first-ever Premier League title, an FA Cup, a League Cup, the Community Shield, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, is all of this success something to be taken with a pinch of salt? Conspiracy theories are rife in the world of sports, and with success comes plenty of finger-pointing. Liverpool has not managed to avoid this. Many fans have suggested that Liverpool are actually using asthma medications to help bolster player performance. Is there any truth to this rumour? And can asthma medications actually help? In this article, we will explore both of these questions.
Are Liverpool asthma cheats?
This is the question that has been on the lips of rival fans across the country. It seems to be raised every time Liverpool wins a major trophy or every time they announce a new signing. But why does this keep being brought up and is there any substance to the rumours?
What is the Liverpool asthma conspiracy?
In September 2020 an article was published by Back Page Football that suggested an anonymous source close to the club ‘revealed’ that 22 out of 35 first-team players were asthmatic which is 63% of the squad. To put this into perspective, the average percentage of asthmatic players on a football team in the United Kingdom is around 12%, which of a 35-man squad would be around four people. It was then put forward that Liverpool would use salbutamol inhalers to treat the condition as well as to enhance and support performance.
What is the link between Liverpool players and asthma?
But is there actually a link between any Liverpool players and asthma? Or is this simply just a rumour made up by a jealous fan of a rival team who used a “source close to the club” to substantiate rumours? There is no real link between any Liverpool players and an asthma diagnosis as the club does not have to disclose this information, however, rumours were sparked again in July 2022 when Liverpool defender Ben Davies was photographed holding what looked like inhalers during a training session.
Where did the Liverpool asthma conspiracy start?
As mentioned, the rumour of Liverpool using asthma to boost player performance started in September 2020 when journalist Alan Moore had an article published entitled ‘Why Liverpool won’t win the Premier League this season” on Back Page Football.
How many Liverpool players have asthma?
It is very hard to put an accurate number on how many Liverpool players actually have asthma as this information has not been actually confirmed by the club. However, if the anonymous ‘source close to the club’ is to be believed then in 2020, 22 out of 35 players in the first team squad had asthma. No names were ever revealed so it is hard to say whether or not any of these 22 players are still at the club or not.
Why is the incidence level of asthma so high at Liverpool FC?
Again, it has not been proven that a high percentage of Liverpool players actually have asthma so it is hard to say exactly why, if they do, Liverpool players have a higher case rate of asthma. It is important to take the rumours with a pinch of salt, although many fans of rival teams may struggle to do this.
Why have Liverpool paired lactate testing with asthma diagnosis technology?
In July 2022, Liverpool made a change to how they conducted certain tests during their pre-season preparations. Liverpool conducts an examination known as the lactate test every pre-season. The test is designed to measure the levels of lactate in the blood. Lactate is a byproduct of glucose metabolism that is produced when there is not enough oxygen available in the tissue. The test is commonly used in sports to assess an athlete's fitness levels. In 2022, Liverpool introduced fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) tests. This is a test that is commonly used when a doctor is diagnosing asthma. As well as this, they have also undertaken cardiopulmonary exercise testing that monitors oxygen output by a person that is exercising. These tests are all commonly used in sports.
Which asthma medication are Liverpool players taking?
The actual medications that are being taken by Liverpool players have not been disclosed and will likely never be disclosed. IF Liverpool players are suffering from asthma then they will likely be prescribed an inhaler. This will likely be a salbutamol inhaler such as Ventolin. Other asthma medications include Fostair Inhalers and Luforbec Inhalers.
Asthma in Football
When would asthma in a footballer typically be identified?
Usually, a person will be diagnosed with asthma as a child and will be prescribed medication from a young age. Mild asthma can go undiagnosed, or it can develop in someone at a later date. As a professional athlete, a footballer will need to undergo many fitness tests to identify any conditions, including asthma. If a player moves from one team to another then they will also need to undergo a medical examination prior to signing. This is when, it is rumoured, Liverpool players are suddenly ‘diagnosed’ with asthma.
When would a footballer need to take an inhaler to reduce their risk of asthma?
A footballer that has been diagnosed with asthma that is using an inhaler will need to use an inhaler to help reduce the risk of asthma symptoms, as well as to improve their lung function. They may also need to use an inhaler whenever they are training or playing a game to help prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms. This is a common trigger for athletes that can be helped by using an asthma inhaler.
How can a football player be tested to find out if they are asthmatic?
A football player may be tested for asthma whenever they undergo tests during pre-season, or during a medical when they are transferring to another club. Clubs all over the world will undertake testing like those used at Liverpool (FeNO and cardiopulmonary exercise testing). Footballers may also find out they’re asthmatic by visiting their doctor if they are suffering from symptoms.
What is the importance of diagnosing exercise-induced asthma in football players?
Diagnosing exercise-induced asthma in football players is very important. Here are some reasons why:
So that they can get appropriate treatment.
So that they can perform to the best of their ability.
To reduce the risk of complications.
To improve safety for athletes.
Would higher ventilation rates in footballers be a reason to use asthma medication?
Higher ventilation rates, such as those experienced during exercise or playing football, can trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals. In such cases, asthma medication may be necessary to manage the symptoms and allow the footballer to continue playing without experiencing breathing difficulties. However, the decision to use asthma medication should be made by a medical professional after a proper evaluation and diagnosis of asthma.
Are medical professionals in football good at diagnosing and treating asthmatic players?
Yes, the medical professionals that are employed, especially at Premier League level, are of the highest standard and will be very good at recognising, diagnosing and treating asthma if it is thought that a player may have it. A club may also call in someone external to diagnose and treat asthmatic players such as a University service or the English Institute of Sport.
How much would it typically cost to screen a group of footballers for asthma?
The cost of screening a group of football players for asthma will vary on a number of different factors including how many players, the types of tests that are being conducted and the location of the tests.
Which asthma treatments are prescribed for asthmatic football players?
The type of treatment that will be prescribed to an asthmatic footballer will vary depending on a number of factors including their particular condition, the severity of the symptoms they face, and their own medical history. The most common treatment that will be prescribed to footballers suffering from asthma will be inhaled bronchodilators in the form of inhalers.
Is doping in football a real thing?
‘Doping’ is a term used in sports that refers to the use of a prohibited substance in order to improve an athlete's performance. Unfortunately, doping is commonplace in many sports, however, it is very rare in professional football. Football is a team sport that involves 11 people on two teams so individual cases of doping are very, very rare. In England, there are only a few cases, one of which was in the 2003/04 season where Chelsea’s Adrian Mutu was banned from playing for seven months after testing positive for cocaine. Another case occurred in 2016 when Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was alleged to have taken a fat-burning banned drug. Upon investigation, this allegation was dropped and UEFA opted to dismiss all charges.
Are asthma inhalers a performance enhancer?
Is Salbutamol a legal substance to use in Premier League football?
According to the FA Anti Doping Advice Card from 2020/21, the advice for footballers in England was to check the banned status of their inhaler if they are asthmatic. The threshold for banned inhalers is as follows:
“All beta-2 agonists are prohibited, except; Inhaled salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours in divided doses not to exceed 800 micrograms over 12 hours starting from any dose); inhaled formoterol (maximum delivered dose of 54 micrograms over 24 hours); inhaled salmeterol (maximum 200 micrograms over 24 hours).”
How could the blue inhaler help a footballer with asthma?
The blue inhaler is a form of medication known as a short-acting beta-antagonist. This medication is used to quickly open up the airways in the lungs. A footballer using this medication will find that it will help to prevent or relieve symptoms of asthma such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. This improves their ability to breathe and can help with their performance.
How could the brown inhaler help a footballer with asthma?
The brown inhaler contains a medication called an inhaled corticosteroid. This medication helps to reduce inflammation in the airways of the lungs. For a footballer with asthma, the brown inhaler will help to prevent and reduce the risk of asthma attacks. This will help to improve their control over their asthma and will make it less likely that they will experience symptoms.
How long before a match would a footballer need to take a salbutamol inhaler to benefit?
It is important that a person, professional athlete or not, should only ever use their medication as highlighted to them by a medical professional. The timing of inhaler use would vary depending on the individual's particular condition and the medication that they are using. Any use of medication for non-medical purposes is unethical and can be dangerous.
How long would a dose from a Salbutamol inhaler last for?
Salbutamol inhalers, which are one of the most commonly used inhalers, is a short-acting medication that starts working within a few minutes of inhalation. The effects of salbutamol will last for around four to six hours. The exact duration of relief will vary from person to person, as well as the dosage that they are using.
Where can I buy asthma medication online?
If you are struggling with asthma, if you are a footballer or not, you can purchase the medication that you need online from UK Meds.
Which asthma medication is available at UK Meds?
At UK Meds, we have a wide variety of different asthma medications available. You can browse our full variety online here. We provide very popular medications available for purchase including Ventolin, Salamol and Clenil Modulite.
Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Alexis Missick MBChB. MRCGP
GMC reference no: 7151419
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