Take the Gigg health check challenge

1:00pm Thursday 23rd October 2008

FOOTBALL fans are urged to match themselves against their local heroes by taking a health MOT on match days at Gigg Lane.

The borough’s Health Kick team caught up with both the Bury FC and FC United squads to put them through their paces.

The players had their blood pressure and carbon monoxide levels checked, their lung function assessed, and their body mass index calculated.

From FC United’s first team squad, Jerome Wright had a BMI of 22 (an ideal weight for his height), his blood pressure was 126/70, his carbon monoxide level was 2 and his peak flow was 550, indicating that he was in good all round health.

Top of the league for lung function in the FC United squad was Sam Ashton, while the whole squad had excellent blood pressure and carbon monoxide readings.

For the Shakers, Mike Jones and Elliott Bennett came in with an ideal BMI of 23 and good blood pressure and carbon monoxide readings.

The Health Kick staff run MOTs at selected match days in Bury.

Those who take the test can be directed on to the Health Kick programme or to various health trainers and advice providers.

Andrea Pilling, Health Kicks co-ordinator, said: “Having a health MOT will only take ten minutes but it can lead to people making huge changes towards a healthier lifestyle.”