2025 Funded Research Projects

Summary: Active South Dublin, on behalf of Active Cities Dublin, aims to assess and monitor physical literacy levels among Dublin's youth. Using validated tools, the study will measure knowledge, motivation, confidence, and physical abilities through questionnaires and fitness tests. Longitudinal data collected over four years will help develop targeted interventions to improve youth participation in physical activity. Building on previous studies like CSPPA and Moving Well-Being Well, the project will involve hundreds of post-primary students from eight Dublin schools, focusing on the cognitive, affective, and physical domains of physical literacy. Key outcomes include a National Physical Literacy Database, policy impact, school engagement, and a public online resource, aiming to enhance youth physical activity nationwide. It will create a prototype Physical Literacy Hub as a national resource for tracking adolescent physical literacy over time. Active South Dublin will deliver this project in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU) and other Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).

Summary: This study aims to explore the experiences of adolescent female Gaelic players within team environments, as described by their parents, with particular attention to both positive and negative influencing factors. It examines the impact of team and organisational culture, gendered perceptions, and the broader context of holistic and long-term engagement in physical activity. By drawing on parental insights, the study seeks to deepen understanding and inform more effective support for these young athletes.

Summary: This research project aims to improve performance and mitigate injury risk in fast bowlers by analysing the neuromuscular demands of thigh muscles and how motor unit recruitment and firing rates change with repeated overs in an international match style format.

Summary: This project aims to develop and refine field testing methodologies for the accurate and reliable measurement of aerodynamic performance of track cyclists in relation to changes in positional kinematics and equipment selection, through which we can inform best practice in position optimisation for coaches and athletes.

Summary: This project aims to develop a research agenda for women in sport in Ireland, to better understand and support their participation in physical activity, exercise, and sport. This collaboration between Donegal Sports Partnership and Galway Sports Partnership will involve a wider collaboration with researchers across the island of Ireland (i.e., ATU, TUS, UU) and internationally (i.e., University of Lincoln, UK).

Summary: This project aims to assess and inform how Irish sports organisations should respond to Revenue's 2024 guidelines on employment status for taxation purposes by gathering data on current compensation practices for various roles to ensure compliance and support sports participation.

Summary: This project aims to research training/match injury incidence using a standardised injury surveillance system in League of Ireland men’s, women’s and academy players. Injury incidence trends will be analysed by age, gender and against international benchmarks using UEFA’s Elite Club Injury Study. 

Summary: This research project aims to use video analysis to understand how ACL injuries occur in Gaelic games, enabling the development of sport-specific injury prevention programmes to reduce the risk and impact of these injuries.

Summary: This project aims to assess and improve the development of young hockey players in Ireland by examining current coaching environments and gathering insights from players, parents, and coaches to provide practical recommendations for a more effective and sustainable talent pathway.

Summary: This project aims to establish a 'Coaching Observatory' to generate evidence on the impact of rugby coaching across all domains in Ireland, using embedded researchers to analyse coaching and provide actionable insights for pragmatic changes in coaching practices.

Summary: This research proposal aims to analyse injury trends in Irish handball leagues, develop gender-specific coaching and prevention programmes, and improve injury reporting practices to enhance athlete safety and development.

Summary: This research aims to analyse performance trends and develop prediction models in Para athletics to enhance talent identification and resource allocation for future Paralympic cycles, supporting the integration of Para Athletics into Athletics Ireland and the growth of potential athletes for Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

Summary: This aims of this project are twofold: (i) examine the training practices and nutritional intake of master rowers via a global questionnaire, and investigate their associations with performance, and (ii) conduct the largest endurance training intervention to date, examining the efficacy of different interval training prescriptions and exploring the physiological mechanisms underlying health, longevity and performance in master rowers.

Summary: This research, which is part of the Míde initiative, aims to address the gender data gap in sport and exercise science by investigating gender-specific differences in change-of-direction movements among female and male college athletes, using a multi-discipline approach to inform tailored coaching and injury prevention strategies.

Summary: This study aims to enhance the coaching framework by investigating the effectiveness of formal and informal learning. This will allow Table Tennis Ireland to address gaps between level one and level two programmes, using feedback from coaches and players to inform tailored coach development strategies for various coaching demographics in table tennis.