Asthma had become part of everyday life for three-time British champion and Team GB Judo athlete, Jemima Yeats-Brown – but its impact on her training and performance was significant. We were delighted to sit down with Jemima as she spoke about her experience of living with exercise-induced asthma, the specialist care she received from Professor Hull at ISEH, and how the right diagnosis and treatment have made a real difference to her health and training.
What symptoms were you experiencing that led you to see Professor Hull at ISEH, and how were they affecting your daily life and Judo career?
I’ve had asthma since I was very young, with frequent hospital stays and chest infections growing up. As I got older, I developed a persistent cough after training, suffered recurrent chest infections, and seemed to catch every cold going around, with illnesses often taking a long time to clear.
Over time, these symptoms became my ‘normal,’ but they were clearly affecting both my recovery and my ability to train consistently. I often felt like I had to work much harder just to keep up, especially when training multiple times a day at an elite level. After a particularly severe chest infection at the beginning of the year, I realised I needed specialist help.
What diagnosis were you given?
Professor Hull confirmed that I have asthma with a significant exercise-induced component. This explained why my symptoms were at their worst during training and competition, despite already using an inhaler.
Can you share any insight into the investigations and treatments you received?
Professor Hull carried out detailed respiratory and exercise testing rather than relying on assumptions or a standard treatment approach.
The tests showed that my lung function dropped by 16% during exercise, even while using my inhaler. Based on those results, my treatment was changed to a different inhaler regimen, with a clear, structured management plan tailored specifically to the demands of elite sport.
Did you feel that Professor Hull was able to get to the root of the problem, and were the treatments making a difference?
Yes. For the first time, I felt that the underlying problem had been properly identified and explained. The focus wasn’t just on managing my symptoms but on understanding why they were happening during exercise.
The new treatment plan has made a huge difference. I no longer feel like I’m constantly battling my lungs during training, and even in day-to-day life my breathing feels much clearer. I’m also not getting ill anywhere near as often as I used to, which has made a massive difference to both my health and my training.
How did you find the ISEH facilities, and how long were you seeing Professor Hull for your care and recovery?
The care at ISEH has been thorough, professional and completely athlete-focused. Having access to specialist investigations and treatment all in one place made the process straightforward and reassuring.
My treatment plan was put in place following my assessment earlier this year and is continuing, with the aim of long-term management rather than a quick fix. I really appreciated that my care evolved alongside the demands of my training and competition schedule.
Has the level of care received, and treatment made a difference to you and your professional career?
Absolutely. I now feel like my body is finally working with me instead of against me.
I can train hard without constantly worrying about coughing, chest infections or falling behind physically. That has given me much greater confidence and consistency, allowing me to focus fully on performing at the highest level.
Would you recommend Professor Hull and ISEH?
Without hesitation, yes.
Professor Hull took the time to listen, investigate thoroughly and understand the unique demands of elite sport. I would strongly recommend him and the team at ISEH to any athlete experiencing respiratory symptoms that are affecting their health or performance.
About Jemima Yeats-Brown: Jemima is a British judoka competing in the -70kg category. She represented Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and is a two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, having claimed bronze in 2014 and 2022. A multiple Grand Prix and Grand Slam medallist, she is also a three-time Senior British Champion.
Jemima has twice finished fifth at the World Championships and has consistently competed among the world’s athletes.
Her next major competition is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she will compete on 1 August, and we wish her the very best!
Sports Respiratory Clinic at ISEH
At our facility in Central London, Professor James Hull works with athletes at our Sports Respiratory Clinic to discuss asthma and other respiratory problems.
