John Kiely

• PhD
• Associate Professor in Performance and Innovation at University of Limerick

High performance sport practitioners work as part of a cross-functional team of experts to deliver effective service to coaches and athletes. While practitioners' technical skills are highly coveted, their ability to work within a team of experts from different disciplines is poorly understood and researched in sporting contexts. Success or failure...

Wilson, PJ, Roe, G, and Kiely, J. How do they decide? Performance support staff perceptions of decision-making in elite-sport environments. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Decision-making is a critical component of performance support staff responsibilities, yet research exploring staff perceptions relating to key facets of decision-making...

Horizontal deceleration is a critical locomotor skill underpinning the many changes of speed and direction performed by athletes in multi-directional sports. Despite its importance there are currently no evidence-based guidelines on how to improve horizontal deceleration ability. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide practitioners tasked...

Practitioners operating in performance sports are required to problem solve, enabling them to offer tailored performance solutions while making expert decisions with high precision. Problem-solving and decision-making are intertwined and tangled in practice. However, the reality is that practitioners require two independent skill sets. This study a...

Background Decision-making is a critical component of performance support staff responsibilities, yet research exploring staff perceptions relating to key facets of decision-making is lacking. Objectives The objectives of this study were to explore perceptions of performance support staff relating to; the importance of decision-making in their rol...

Background The planning of training is a popular yet controversial topic among coaches and sports scientists. Periodisation is often presented in the literature as the most efficacious approach to planning training. While historically surveys of coaches appeared to support this a key failing was that no unified definition of periodisation exists. R...

Success within performance sports is heavily dependent upon the quality of the decisions taken by educated and experienced staff. Multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) typically collate voluminous data, and staff typically undergo extensive and rigorous technical and domain-specific training. Although sports professionals operate in sometimes volatile, u...

Objective We surveyed coaches’ views on topics related to the training process to elucidate whether their opinions are aligned with the current literature. Here the results for a sub-set of questions regarding factors affecting the training adaptation process are presented and discussed.Methods106 coaches [age range 18–65 + years, 31% 15 + years co...

Rapid horizontal accelerations and decelerations are crucial events enabling the changes of velocity and direction integral to sports involving random intermittent multi-directional movements. However, relative to horizontal acceleration, there have been considerably fewer scientific investigations into the biomechanical and neuromuscular demands o...

Current trends in sports monitoring are characterized by the massive collection of tech-based biomechanical, physiological and performance data, integrated through mathematical algorithms. However, the application of algorithms, predicated on mechanistic assumptions of how athletes operate, cannot capture, assess and adequately promote athletes’ he...

High-Performance Training for Sports changed the landscape of athletic conditioning and sport performance when first published in 2014. Now the second edition builds on that groundbreaking work with the latest and most effective philosophies, protocols and programs for developing today’s athletes. High-Performance Training for Sports, Second Editio...

Introduction: Exercises designed to improve the function of the core are a centerpiece of many athletic training programs. Current core stability (CS) ideology, testing protocols, and training methods originated from research into low back pain, yet are commonly applied within the sports performance domain. CS is a controversial concept with signif...

This is a chapter excerpt provided by Human Kinetics.

Previous studies have identified several key barriers to Physical Education, Physical activity and Sport (PEPAS). However, there is a paucity of qualitative evidence investigating why young people do and do not participate in PA and the relationship between their levels of participation at different stages of life. This study builds on a previous s...

The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between, and within, drop jump (DJ) neuromuscular performance (NMP) qualities and maximal horizontal deceleration ability. We also compared DJ NMP qualities in “high” versus “low” horizontal deceleration ability athletes. Twenty‐nine university athletes performed: (1) DJs on force plates fro...

Future of elite football 2030. We suggest that tactical evolutions of the future game, predicated on models of high-intensity pressing, counter-pressing, and counterattacking, will result in greater exposure to intense, short accelerations and decelerations, interspersed between more high-speed running moments. Accordingly, the creation of high-i...

Elite sprint performances typically peak during an athlete’s twenties, and decline thereafter with age. The mechanisms underpinning this sprint performance decline are often reported to be strength-based in nature, with reductions in strength capacities driving increases in ground contact time and decreases in stride lengths and frequency. However,...

Editorial Letter

Purpose: The genetic influence on the attainment of elite athlete status is well established, with a number of polymorphisms found to be more common in elite athletes than in the general population. As such, there is considerable interest in understanding whether this information can be utilized to identify future elite athletes. Accordingly, the...

There is a need to update scientific assumptions in sport to promote the critical thinking of scientists, coaches, and practitioners and improve their methodological decisions. On the basis of complex systems science and theories of biological evolution, a systematization and update of theoretical and methodological principles to transform the unde...

Recently, knowledge of the genetic influence on the attainment of elite athlete status, along with aspects such as training adaptations and injury risk, has grown. At present, there are various direct-to-consumer genetic tests targeted at athletes. Here, we aimed to determine to prevalence of, and attitudes towards, genetic testing in a group of at...

Radar technology has the potential for providing new insights into maximal horizontal deceleration ability. This study aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-day reliability and sensitivity of kinematic and kinetic variables obtained from a novel, maximal horizontal deceleration test, using radar technology. Thirty-eight university sport athlete...

Objectives Previous research describes dynamic stability and functional strength as key aetiological risk factors associated with lower limb non-contact musculoskeletal injury. Due to the multi factorial nature of injury risk, relationships between the two factors will inform injury management and training design. Methods Fifty-nine elite academy...

This investigation aimed to determine the countermovement jump (CMJ) neuromuscular performance (NMP) qualities that differentiate between athletes with high or low horizontal deceleration ability. Twenty-seven male university team sport athletes performed a CMJ on vertical axis force plates and a maximal horizontal deceleration following a 20 m max...

Elite sprint performances typically peak during an athlete’s 20s and decline thereafter with age. The mechanisms underpinning this sprint performance decline are often reported to be strength-based in nature with reductions in strength capacities driving increases in ground contact time and decreases in stride lengths and frequency. However, an as-...

Background The external movement loads imposed on players during competitive team sports are commonly measured using global positioning system devices. Information gleaned from analyses is employed to calibrate physical conditioning and injury prevention strategies with the external loads imposed during match play. Intense accelerations and deceler...

Over the expanse of evolutionary history, humans, and predecessor Homo species, ran to survive. This legacy is reflected in many deeply and irrevocably embedded neurological and biological design features, features which shape how we run, yet were themselves shaped by running. Smoothness is a widely recognised feature of healthy, proficient movemen...

Elite athlete status is a partially heritable trait, as are many of the underpinning physiological, anthropometrical, and psychological traits that contribute to elite performance. In recent years, our understanding of the specific genetic variants that contribute to these traits has grown, such that there is considerable interest in attempting to...

The rates of obesity and its related comorbidities have increased substantially over the last 30 years, with approximately 35% of all US adults now classified as obese. Whilst the causes of obesity are both complex and multifactorial, one contributor is a reduction in leisure time physical activity, with no concurrent reduction in energy intake. Ph...

Caffeine is a popular and widely utilised sporting ergogenic aid. Over the years, the effects of different caffeine doses have been researched, with the general consensus being that 3-6 mg/kg of caffeine represents the optimal caffeine dose for most people. Recently there has been increased attention placed on lower (≤3 mg/kg) caffeine doses, with...

Poster titled 'High intensity accelerations and decelerations: What are the demands of elite team sports competitive match-play?' that was presented at the UK Strength and Conditioning Annual Conference 2019.

Caffeine is a well-established ergogenic aid, demonstrated to enhance performance across a wide range of capacities through a variety of mechanisms. As such, it is frequently used by both athletes and non-athletes alike. As a result, caffeine ingestion is ubiquitous in modern society, with athletes typically being exposed to regular non-supplementa...

Over the last decade, there has been considerable interest in the individualisation of athlete training, including the use of genetic information, alongside more advanced data capture and analysis techniques. Here, we explore the evidence for, and practical use of, a number of these emerging technologies, including the measurement and quantificatio...

It is well established that exercise is an important component in the maintenance of good health, and yet recent studies have demonstrated that a sub-section of individuals experience no significant improvements following an exercise training intervention. Such individuals are commonly termed “non-responders”. However, recently a number of research...

Recent research has demonstrated that there is considerable inter-individual variation in the response to aerobic training, and that this variation is partially mediated by genetic factors. As such, we aimed to investigate if a genetic based algorithm successfully predicted the magnitude of improvements following eight-weeks of aerobic training in...

Individual player data. (XLSX)

Please note - This version is the non-peer-reviewed version of this article. To view the final article, please click --> https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1XUCL15pGbvcN- Hamstring Strain Injuries (HSI) are common within many sports, imposing a significant burden in terms of both financial cost, recovery time, and loss of performance. Recently, resear...

Frequent and intense accelerations and decelerations are crucial elements of match play.1–4. Both accelerations and decelerations expose players to high levels of mechanical stress are recognised as key contributors to overall biomechanical load, 5 and may exert a significant impact on performance potential (eg,ability to sustain high force output...

Harper, DJ, Jordan, AR, and Kiely, J. Relationships between eccentric and concentric knee strength capacities and maximal linear deceleration ability in male academy soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between maximal linear deceleration ability, and knee flexor (KF...

Periodization theory has, over the past seven decades, emerged as the preeminent training planning paradigm. The philosophical underpinnings of periodiza- tion theory can be traced back to the integration of diverse shaping influences, whereby coaching beliefs and traditions were blended with historically available scientific insights and contextua...

Perhaps as a consequence of increased specialism in training and support, the focus on engendering and maintaining agility as a generic quality has diminished within many contemporary sports performance programmes. Reflecting this, we outline a rationale suggesting that such a decreased focus represents an oversight which may be detrimental to maxi...

As human longevity increases, recent research has focused on the maintenance of optimal health during old age. One such area of focus is that of muscle function in the elderly, with a loss of muscle mass increasing the risk of negative outcomes such as sarcopenia and a decrease in bone mineral density. In this mini-review, we focus on the impact of...

Caffeine use is widespread in sport, with a strong evidence base demonstrating its ergogenic effect. Based on existing research, current guidelines recommend ingestion of 3-9 mg/kg approximately 60 minutes prior to exercise. However, the magnitude of performance enhancement following caffeine ingestion differs substantially between individuals, wit...

Over the last couple of decades, research has focused on attempting to understand the genetic influence on sports performance. This has led to the identification of a number of candidate genes which may help differentiate between elite and non-elite athletes. One of the most promising genes in that regard is ACTN3, which has commonly been referred...

Evidence linking physical health with beneficial cognitive outcomes is well established. However, the potential bi-directional nature of this relationship is far less explored. Falls-related injuries are frequently caused by age-related deterioration of walking gait, and cost the NHS in Britain ~£1 billion per annum. Interventions capable of reduci...

Talent identification (TI) is a popular and hugely important topic within sports performance, with an ever-increasing amount of resources dedicated to unveiling the next sporting star. However, at present, most TI processes appear to select high-performing individuals at the present point in time, as opposed to identifying those individuals with th...

Abstract: Background: Traditional exercise prescription is based on the assumption that exercise adaptation is predictable and standardised across individuals. However, evidence has emerged in the past two decades demonstrating that large inter-individual variation exists regarding the magnitude and direction of adaption following exercise. Objecti...

Exercise training creates a number of physical challenges to the body, the overcoming of which drives exercise adaptation. The balance between sufficient stress and recovery is a crucial, but often under-explored, area within exercise training. Genetic variation can also predispose some individuals to a greater need for recovery after exercise. In...

Exercise training creates a number of physical challenges to the body, the overcoming of which drives exercise adaptation. The balance between sufficient stress and recovery is a crucial, but often under-explored, area within exercise training. Genetic variation can also predispose some individuals to a greater need for recovery after exercise. In...

In comparison to other mammals, humans are not especially strong, swift or supple. Nevertheless, despite these apparent physical limitations, we are among Natures most superbly well-adapted endurance runners. Paradoxically, however, notwithstanding this evolutionary-bestowed proficiency, running-related injuries, and Overuse syndromes in particular...

Scottish children are reported to be among the least active in the world, additionally Scotland has previously been labelled ‘the sick man of Europe’ on account of its poor health record. In response, the Scottish Government has implemented a range of policies with a strong focus on increasing physical activity (PA), Physical Education (PE) and the...

Purpose Accumulating life stress is a driving factor underlying the most pervasive, incapacitating health conditions in 21st century, First World societies. The most widely supported strategy, for remediating the negative health consequences of elevated life stress, is physical activity (PA). Evidence also suggests accumulating life stress impedes...

A response to " Letter to the editor: a genetic-based algorithm... COMMENT Following the recent publication of our paper, " A genetic-based algorithm for personalized resistance training " [1], we read with interest the recent Letter from Karanikolou et al. [2] discussing the proposed limitations within our study. First, to clarify a point; the Aut...

To date, multiple hypotheses have been proposed for the Scottish effect and, more specifically, Glasgow's high mortality rate and the associated Glasgow effect. Previous authors have highlighted the improbability of a single factor as responsible for this effect with seventeen possible hypotheses presented. These have ranged from socio-economic fac...

Introduction Decelerating (DEC) is just as frequent as accelerating in contemporary soccer match play (Russell et al., 2014). Recent evidence suggests that lower body eccentric strength directly improves the ability of a player to produce and tolerate braking forces (Spiteri et al., 2014). The aim of the present study was to identify if measures of...

The unique architecture of the foot system provides a sensitive, multi-tensional method of communicating with the surrounding environment. Within the premise of the paper, we discuss three themes: complexity, degeneracy and bio-tensegrity. Complex structures within the foot allow the human movement system to negotiate strategies for dynamic movemen...

Running is a pervasive activity across human cultures and a cornerstone of contemporary health, fitness, and sporting activities. Yet for the overwhelming predominance of human existence running was an essential prerequisite for survival. A means to hunt, and a means to escape when hunted. In a very real sense humans have evolved to run. Yet curiou...

Running is a pervasive activity across human cultures and a cornerstone of contemporary health, fitness, and sporting activities. Yet for the overwhelming predominance of human existence running was an essential prerequisite for survival. A means to hunt, and a means to escape when hunted. In a very real sense humans have evolved to run. Yet curiou...

Association studies have identified dozens of genetic variants linked to training responses and sport-related traits. However, no intervention studies utilizing the idea of personalised training based on athlete's genetic profile have been conducted. Here we propose an algorithm that allows achieving greater results in response to high- or low-inte...

The science of stress has greatly influenced sport training. The formative works in the field from the early 20th century, particularly those by Walter Canon and Hans Selye, are frequently cited as the basis for the understanding of how humans adapt to training-imposed stress. However, key cornerstones of the conventional understanding have shifted...

There is substantial scientific research suggesting the physical and psychological health benefits of a physically active lifestyle. Consequently, governments worldwide prioritize policies, finances, and resources in healthcare, education, and sports sectors to increase mass participation in physical activity. However, practices in physical activit...

Movement control, early specialisation and injury - what (and what NOT) to do to develop adaptable, injury proofed senior performers.

Mention the 1936 Berlin Olympics and, inevitably, Jessie Owens springs to mind. But Owens’ roommate at those games, 1500m runner Glenn Cunningham, also had a backstory. When Cunningham was seven he lost most of the flesh from his lower legs, and the toes and transverse arch of his left foot, in a schoolhouse fire. Doctors recommended amputation, bu...

The planning and organization of athletic training have historically been much discussed and debated in the coaching and sports science literature. Various influential periodization theorists have devised, promoted, and substantiated particular training-planning models based on interpretation of the scientific evidence and individual beliefs and ex...

The purpose of this article is to re-visit some of the key underpinning beliefs of the traditional periodization model, to examine the evidence and logic supporting these assumptions, and finally on the basis of this discussion to uncover any potential implications for training planning philosophy. Needless to say, it will not be feasible to addres...