Men's health MOT for top rugby players

Two of the best rugby league players in the world were given a mini 'health MOT' by MHF chair Professor Alan White last week ahead of this week's Carnegie World Club Challenge at Elland Road Stadium, Leeds.

Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield (left) and Cooper Cronk (centre), who will captain the Australian champions Melbourne Storm, were given the full once over, including a blood pressure check as part of Leeds Met University's Tackling Men's Health campaign.

Leeds Met's Tackling Men's Health Campaign aims to highlight men's health issues and the university, in partnership with local organisation Men's Health Plus, have been running free men's health MOTs at Headingley Carnegie Stadium regularly on match days through the university's pioneering partnership with RFL.

Alan said: 'The presence of a regular group of supporters at sporting matches presents a unique opportunity to target a significant number of men on a range of topical men's health issues and get them involved in taking appropriate action where necessary.

'The message that is emerging is that men are interested in their health, however they may not find it so easy to access health care services. When the opportunity was presented for health checks they were more than willing to participate.'

The Carnegie World Club Challenge is held annually when the British Superleague champions face the top Australian NRL club.