Lisa Ryan

• BSc, MSc, PhD
• Head of School of Sport Exercise and Nutrition at Atlantic Technological University

The aim of this study was to use blue whiting fish protein hydrolysate (BWFPH) as a novel dietary amino acid supplement in whey protein isolate (WPI) and pea protein isolate (PPI)‐based protein bars. The findings indicate that incorporating BWFPH significantly influenced the nutritional profile of the protein bars, leading to a ~93% reduction in ha...

Background and Objectives: Collision-sport athletes, such as rugby players, are at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Women are known to be at higher risk of SRC and may experience more severe and chronic symptomology than men. Knowledge of the factors that affect a player’s disclosure of their concussive symptoms could help to inform strategi...

The food industry is experiencing a profound shift toward sustainability, defined by a growing emphasis on responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and promoting social and economic well-being ⁽¹⁾ . This shift impacts food and nutrition graduate employability and the diverse skillsets required for success in this evolving industry. Skil...

Digital competency is defined as “the confident, critical and responsible use of, and engagement with, digital technologies for learning, at work, and for participation in society” ⁽¹⁾ . Digital competence is an essential skill required in today’s modern society and has become a highly desired skill in employment. The digitalisation of education ha...

Sports-related concussions (SRC) may impact athletes at all levels, from recreational to professional. SRC disrupts brain function, initiating various transient, and subjective symptoms ⁽¹⁾ . Due to the gut-brain axis, gastrointestinal (GI) function is affected and may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Post-concussion GI symptoms may hind...

The food industry is intertwined in every continent and culture, shaping dietary habits and economies worldwide ⁽¹⁾ . Sustainability has become an increasingly important and widely discussed topic in the food industry influencing the decisions and actions of food industry companies and stakeholders worldwide. In an effort to become environmentally...

Ultra-endurance running (UER) events are defined based upon duration, exceeding 4-6 hours, or distance, surpassing the 26.3-mile marathon ⁽¹⁾ . Oftentimes event courses comprise of extreme environmental conditions, altitudes, temperatures, terrains, or a combination. UER poses significant short- and long- term health implications. UER athletes’ ris...

Background Sports related concussions are a common injury in field-based contact sports including Gaelic games. Even though accurate data on concussion in Gaelic games is currently limited, it is well documented that concussion is a common injury in Gaelic sports. The purpose of this current research was to discern the psychological impact of concu...

Background: The focus of this qualitative research was to interview current and retired Gaelic games athletes to ascertain how athletes viewed concussion recognition and management. Methods: A grounded theory methodology design was utilised to investigate concussion recognition and management experiences of a cohort of Gaelic games athletes (n = 22...

Background The purpose of this qualitative research study was to interview current and retired Gaelic games athletes to understand the current landscape of concussion recovery in Gaelic sports from the athlete perspective. Methods A grounded theory methodology was employed to explore the experiences of a cohort of Gaelic games athletes ( n = 22) r...

Objective The study sought to explore nutrition graduates’ employability and role of employability capitals in supporting nutrition science graduate outcomes. Design In-depth semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with nutrition graduates who had completed a nutrition science degree between 2015 and 2021. Interpretivism guided t...

Background: Injury prevention/reduction strategies are driven by data collected through injury surveillance systems. The aim of this review was to describe injury surveillance systems that are used for ongoing surveillance in either a professional or amateur sporting environment. This was an update to a review done in 2015 to determine the gaps in...

Nutrition program graduates possess extensive knowledge, practical skills, and effective communication, but the transition from academic training to professional practice can be challenging. The study aimed to explore the employability of Irish nutrition science graduates and the use of the CareerEDGE model in developing employability. In-depth sem...

This chapter focuses on the coach behaviour of feedback which is a popular coaching intervention implemented in some form by coaches in all sports and domains. According to Butler and Winne (1995) “feedback is information with which a learner can confirm, add to, overwrite, tune, or restructure information in memory”. However, not all feedback in a...

Ocular tools and technologies may be used in the diagnosis of sport-related concussions (SRCs), but their clinical utility can vary. The following study aimed to review the literature pertaining to the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of such assessments. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) extension f...

Sustainability is becoming essential and actively debated in the food sector, influencing companies and stakeholders globally. Sustainability practices have been developed and integrated into food industry actions and policies to meet present needs without compromising future needs. The aim of this study was to explore the current sustainability pr...

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is an injury whereby impact to the face/head/neck impairs cognitive functioning. Parasport athletes have an increased risk for SRC. The Previous Concussion in Sport Group iterations lack guidance for parasport SRC assessment, management, and return-to-play. This article aims to investigate the research relating to pa...

Background Competency-based assessment (CBA) supports the development and attainment of skills required for the workforce. Little is known about educators’ experience in developing or implementing CBA in nutrition science education or their opinions on how well it captures a student’s preparedness for the workforce. The objective of this study was...

Introduction: Coaches, practitioners, and leadership in amateur female sport must navigate many obstacles in the pursuit of athlete availability and optimal performance. The present study aims to evaluate opportunities and challenges to both injury prevention and management in amateur female sport, as experienced by mixed-gender coaches, allied hea...

This poster explores gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances experienced by Irish athletes after a concussion. Through an online survey, athletes reported changes in bowel habits, appetite, nausea, and other GI symptoms. The findings suggest that concussions can impact gut function, highlighting the need for awareness among athletes and support teams.

Concussions from sport and recreational activities can negatively impact academic performance in adolescents. This study aims to use reflexive thematic analysis to understand the knowledge, management, and education of concussion among Irish postprimary educators. A cross‐sectional study that involved semistructured interviews with 18 secondary sch...

In 2014, an Irish parliament white paper called for greater addressing of sport-related concussions (SRCs) in Ireland, requesting the adoption of the Concussion in Sport Group's (CISGs) guidelines and greater consistency in SRC return to play (RTP) management. Ten years later, it is unclear how these requests have been addressed. Recently, the Unit...

Ocular assessment tools provide insights into neurological functioning when diagnosing sport-related concussions (SRCs). Emerging technologies such as EyeGuide Focus have attempted to improve on pre-existing clinical tools however the reliability of the tool is currently uncertain and it is unclear if physical exertion may affect the validity of th...

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the carbohydrate beliefs and practices of ultra-endurance runners in Ireland to gain an understanding of their gastrointestinal symptom (GIS) management strategies. Methodology An adapted version of a previously developed and validated questionnaire was distributed online to ultra-endurance runners, recogniz...

Decreased sleep quality and duration is associated with an array of negative health outcomes. Evidence suggests athletes are susceptible to sleep inadequacies that may in turn affect their health and dietary behaviours. This study aimed to explore the sleep profile of both male and female Gaelic games players, at an elite and sub-elite level and co...

Background Undergraduate nutrition programmes prepare students and graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities. However, little is known about how employers perceive current nutrition education practices in Ireland and how well graduates are prepared for the realities of today's workforce. The present study aimed to explore employers' pe...

Coaches use of augmented verbal feedback (AVF), often measured through systematic observation, is acknowledged as having a vital role in athlete learning. The purpose of this review was to identify coaches’ use of AVF, through systematic observation, in developmental and performance contexts. A literature search was conducted using EBSCO HOST and S...

Sport-related concussions (SRCs) are a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that induces transient symptoms in athletes. These symptoms provide avenues for developing emerging technologies to diagnose SRCs, in particular ocular and vestibular dysfunction. The following study aims to assess the reliability of visual smooth-pursuit technology (EyeGuide...

Purpose Agri-food systems in Europe are predominantly male dominated. Female food entrepreneurs can play a key role in the development of novel, sustainable food products. The aim of the present study was to gain an increased understanding of the various barriers which female agri-food entrepreneurs situated in rural areas perceive as hindrances to...

Introduction: Agri-food systems in Europe are predominantly male-dominated. Female food entrepreneurs can play a key role in the development of novel, sustainable food products. The aim of the present study was to gain an increased understanding of the various barriers which female agri-food entrepreneurs situated in rural areas perceive as hindran...

Sport-related concussion incidence has increased in many team-based sports, such as rugby, Gaelic (camogie, hurling, football), and hockey. Concussion disrupts athletes’ brain function, causing an “energy crisis” that requires energy and nutrient support to restore function and heal. Performance dietitians and nutritionists play a role in supportin...

Objective Determine the effectiveness of interventions in changing concussion knowledge and attitudes in athletes, coaches, parents. Design Systematic literature review. Setting Amateur and communiity sports. Participants Human populations ranging from child to adult involved in sport in any capacity. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factor...

Objective To evaluate the effects of neck strengthening interventions in reducing cervical neck injury and sports related concussion. Design Systematic literature review. Setting Amateur, semi professional and professional sports. Participants Human adult (≥ 18) involved in collision sports. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) Neck st...

Objective To explore adherence to Consensus return to play (RTP) guidelines and potential barriers to best practice in SRC management in Irish amatuer female sport. Design Qualitative, informal virtual interviews with a convenience snowball sample. Setting Irish amateur female sport. Participants Male & female coaches, & allied healthcare profes...

(1) Background: Participation in ultra-endurance sports, particularly ultra-running, has increased over the previous three decades. These are accompanied by high energetic demands, which may be further exacerbated by extreme environmental conditions. Preparation is long-term, comprising of sufficient exercise management, supportive dietary habits,...

Training load (TL) is frequently documented among team sports and the development of emerging technology (ET) is displaying promising results towards player performance and injury risk identification. The aim of this systematic review was to identify ETs used in field-based sport to monitor TL for injury/performance prediction and provide sport spe...

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represents a significant burden for individuals, economies, and healthcare systems worldwide. Recovery protocols focus on medication and physiotherapy-based interventions. Animal studies have shown that antioxidants, branched-chain amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids may improve neurophysiological outcomes after T...

Objectives: Sports-Related Concussion (SRCs) are of relevant risk and burden for female athletes. The following study aimed to explore potential barriers to return to play (RTP) best practice in coaches of amateur female athletes, and medical professionals who may treat and manage SRCs in amateur female athletes. Design: Qualitative, semi-struct...

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common brain injury, seen in sports, fall, vehicle, or workplace injuries. Concussion is the most common type of mTBI. Assessment of impairments from concussion is evolving, with oculomotor testing suggested as a key component in a multimodality diagnostic protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluat...

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common brain injury, seen in sports, falls, vehicle, or workplace injuries. Concussion is the most common type of mTBI. Assessment of impairments from concussion are evolving, with oculomotor testing suggested as a key component in a multi-modality diagnostic protocol. The aim of this study was to eval...

Introduction Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a risk of collision sports such as women's rugby. To support appropriate SRC diagnosis and management, an understanding of the factors that encourage SRC disclosure is necessary. To date, research has focused on ascertaining individual player knowledge and attitudes towards SRC disclosure. Methods We...

Purpose This systematic review investigated qualitative and quantitative studies exploring patients and healthcare professionals’ (HCP) experience of nutrition care throughout the cancer journey. Methods Five databases were systematically searched for studies reporting on patient and healthcare professionals’ experience of nutrition advice. Resul...

Ladies Gaelic football (LGF) is a traditional , amateur Gaelic sport played by female athletes. LGF is an invasion-based field sport involving high-intensity, intermittent match play. There is currently a paucity of research on intercounty (elite level) LGF despite a growing interest in the male version of the game. This article aims to provide str...

Blue whiting fish protein hydrolysate (BWFPH) is a low‐value fish by‐product with potential health benefits. This study aimed to assess the effect of the addition of BWFPH (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% w/w) on the cooking quality, physical properties and sensorial characteristics of pasta. The results showed that by adding BWFPH to pasta, the optimal cookin...

Managing the health and wellbeing of full-time professional athletes is a multifaceted task. In elite high-performance environments, medical staff and strength training coaches attempt to identify improved methods to monitor player health. Monitoring player health could indicate potential injury risk and assist in adjustments to training and worklo...

The emphasis of this study was to interview ex-professional male rugby union players (n = 23, mean age 35.5 ± 4.7 years) and discuss concussion management during their careers. In this study, two major themes were identified: (1) the duty of care to professional rugby union players by medical personnel, coaching staff, and owners of professional cl...

When mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) occurs following an impact on the head or body, the brain is disrupted leading to a series of metabolic events that may alter the brain's ability to function and repair itself. These changes may place increased nutritional demands on the body. Little is known on whether nutritional interventions are safe for...

Objectives: To determine sport- related concussion (SRC) incidence rates in female contact/collision sport. Design: Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analysis guidelines. Data sources: Four databases (PubMed, SportsDiscus, Web of Science, CINAHL) were searched for data from 2012 to 2021....

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often referred to as the ‘silent epidemic’ because many injuries go unrecognised(Reference Rusnak1). Epidemiological data estimates the incidence of TBI at 27.08 million cases annually, with age-standardised incidence rates at 369 per 100,000 population(Reference James, Theadom and Ellenboge2). Traumatic brain in...

Background: Concussion in sport is an ongoing global concern. The head injury assessment (HIA) by the field of play is acknowledged as the first step in recognising and identifying concussion. While previous systematic literature reviews have evaluated the sensitivity of side-line screening tools and assessment protocols, no systematic review has e...

Rugby union is a field sport that is played at amateur and professional levels by male and female players globally. One of the most prevalent injury risks associated with the sport involves tackle collisions with opposition players. This suggests that a targeted injury reduction strategy could focus on the tackle area in the game. In amateur rugby...

The focus of this study was to interview retired professional rugby union players (≤10 years since retirement) to discuss their careers in the game of rugby union. These interviews explored their experiences of being a professional rugby player, with respect to physical injury, concussion incidence and concussion management. In addition, the aims w...

Background Concussion in sport is an ongoing global concern. The head injury assessment (HIA) by the field of play is acknowledged as the first step in recognising and identifying concussion. While previous systematic literature reviews have evaluated the sensitivity of sideline screening tools and assessment protocols, no systematic review has eva...

Education initiatives can help improve knowledge, attitudes towards concussion and increase reporting of this ‘invisible injury’. While interventions tend to increase knowledge, they display mixed results for attitudes towards concussion, are often lengthy and require an expert to present to a target cohort. This study aimed to develop an easily ac...

This study interviewed retired professional rugby union players (≤10 years since retirement) to discuss their careers in the game of rugby union. The primary aim of the study was to document their understanding of concussion knowledge and the analogies they use to describe concussion. In addition, these interviews were used to determine any explici...

Background A suitably prepared and qualified nutrition and dietetics workforce is part of the solution to combating the burden of disease. Competency-based assessment is a key part of the education of future workforces. Although there has been recent attention on competency-based assessment in dietetics, there is little exploration of competency-ba...

Purpose of Review Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a continuing healthcare concern worldwide contributing to significant cognitive and neurological impairment, consequently affecting activities of daily living. While mTBI recovery is becoming well studied, there are no interventions to reduce the known impairments of mTBI. Omega-3 fatty acids...

The current sports nutrition supplement market is being flooded with a plethora of products claiming to enhance athletic performance and wellbeing. Although stimulants and protein supplements are among the most common, electrolyte and carbohydrate-based hydration supplements are beginning to be marketed to Irish athletes and weekend warriors includ...

The current sports nutrition supplement market is being flooded with a plethora of products claiming to enhance athletic performance and wellbeing. Although stimulants and protein supplements are among the most common, electrolyte and carbohydrate-based hydration supplements are being marketed to Irish athletes and weekend warriors. This is exempli...

Athlete monitoring enables sports science practitioners to collect information to determine how athletes respond to training loads (TL) and the demands of competition. To date, recommendations for females are often adapted from their male counterparts. There is currently limited information available on TL monitoring in female Gaelic team sports in...

Purpose : Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading global cause of death. Strategies to reduce CVD risk are urgently needed. Polyphenols represent a class of bioactive compounds with potential to moderate biochemical risk factors for CVD (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and inflammation). This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised...

Emerging research has studied in-game metrics of athletes after returning from concussion injury in an attempt to determine if performance is compromised. The aim of this meta- analysis was to quantify performance metrics in professional athletes prior to and following recovery from concussion. We conducted systematic literature searches in databas...

The primary objective of this study was to compare weight changes in two groups of ageing Irish adults with overweight and adiposity-based chronic disease: participants who had dietary energy requirements prescribed on the base of measured RMR and participants whose RMR was estimated by a prediction equation. Fifty-four Caucasian adults (male n = 2...

Emerging evidence of brain injury on risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have resulted in interest in therapeutic potential of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA). We conducted a systematic review of n-3FA therapeutic efficacy for ageing adults at risk of AD/CTE following a history...

The objective of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the evidence regarding the development of neck strength in reducing concussion and cervical spine injuries in adult amateur and professional sport populations. PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were searched systematically. The criteria for inclusion in th...

Training future nutritionists to meet competency standards set out by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) requires high-quality education and assessment methods. Currently little is known about the implementation of competency-based assessment (CBA) practices in nutrition education and their efficacy in evaluating a student's performance at undergr...

Educational interventions aimed at increasing concussion knowledge and attitudes are designed according to different frameworks. The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to determine the effects of educational interventions on concussion knowledge and attitudes, while providing recommendations for future research in the area of concu...

A whole diet which combines multiple functional foods benefits metabolic risk factors and cognition, but evidence supporting meal to meal benefits, which individuals may find easier to implement, is limited. This study developed a functional food breakfast (FB), using polyphenol-rich ingredients selected for their gluco-regulating and cognitive-enh...

Camogie (kuh$mow$gee) is a traditional, amateur Gaelic sport played by female athletes. This invasion-based field sport involves high-intensity intermittent physical demands. There is currently a dearth of available research in intercounty despite the prevalence of research in the male version of the game (hurling). The aims of this article are to...

Camogie (kuh$mow$gee) is a traditional , amateur Gaelic sport played by female athletes. This invasion-based field sport involves high-intensity intermittent physical demands. There is currently a dearth of available research in intercounty despite the prevalence of research in the male version of the game (hurling). The aims of this article are to...

Initiatives based on the Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework have previously been successful in improving health and well-being yet there is little evidence of how these findings translate into policy. This study therefore aimed to analyse the political considerations that underpinned policymakers' decisions for the design and implementation o...

When healthy adults consume carbohydrates at night, postprandial blood glucose responses are elevated and prolonged compared to daytime.Extended postprandial hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Polyphenols are bioactive secondary metabolites of plants and algae with potential to moderate postprandial glycaemia. This study investiga...

Introduction Hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and chronic inflammation are risk factors for chronic diseases cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Polyphenols are bioactive compounds found in marine algae with potential antihyperlipidaemic, antihyperglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effects. The modulation of these risk factors using bioactive p...

This study investigated the impact of a polyphenol-rich seaweed extract on postprandial glycaemia in healthy adults, and, as a secondary outcome, the influence of ethnicity on these outcomes. Thirty-eight volunteers (26 non-Asian, 12 Asian) aged 19 to 56 years participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised cross-over trial. Parti...

Marine macroalgae are rapidly gaining recognition as a source of functional ingredients that can be used to promote health and prevent disease. There is accumulating evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and emerging evidence in human trials that phlorotannins, a class of polyphenol that are unique to marine macroalgae, have anti-hyperglyc...

In 2012 the Victorian State Government launched Healthy Together Victoria, a state-wide prevention platform aimed at addressing Victoria’s growing rates of overweight and obesity. One of the key initiatives aimed at adolescents in secondary schools was the Achievement Pro-gram, an eight-step award program designed to assist schools in working towar...

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Marine algal polyphenols have potential to reduce the risk of these conditions, however little is known about their impact in humans. This systematic review investigates the antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic and anti-inflammatory effects of marine po...

div class="title">The effect of a breakfast containing multiple functional ingredients on glucose response, insulin response and cognitive performance in adolescents - Volume 75 Issue OCE3 - S. Kennedy, L. Ryan, M.E. Clegg

Marine macroalgae are gaining recognition among the scientific community as a significant source of functional food ingredients. Due to the harsh environments in which macroalgae survive, they produce unique bioactive compounds that are not found in terrestrial plants. Polyphenols are the predominant bioactive compound in brown algae and are accoun...

Objective: To update evidence on the impact of multi-strategy nutrition education interventions on adolescents' health and nutrition outcomes and behaviors. Design: Systematic review of randomized controlled studies of multi-strategy interventions encompassing nutrition education published from 2000 to 2014 guided by the Preferred Reported Items...

Background/objectives: Breakfast skipping increases during adolescence and is associated with lower levels of physical activity and weight gain. Theory-based interventions promoting breakfast consumption in adolescents report mixed findings, potentially because of limited research identifying which determinants to target. This study aimed to: (i)...

Increasingly, evidence suggests a role for polyphenols in blood glucose control. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of polyphenol-rich sources in combination with carbohydrate sources on resulting postprandial glycaemic and insulin responses. A literature search was conducted using Medline, CINHAL and Web of Science...

There are many health and economic consequences for patients with osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis. A range of treatments may provide positive outcomes for otherwise healthy adults, including dietary and exercise approaches, either alone or in combination. The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of dietary appr...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the diet and nutrient intake of people receiving opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in the UK, offering implications for recovery-oriented treatment and care. Design/methodology/approach – Diet and nutrient intake were assessed using quantitative methods. The research tools used were:...

Dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form during heating and processing of food products and are widely prevalent in the modern Western diet. Recent systematic reviews indicate that consumption of dietary AGEs may promote inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Experimental evidence indicates that dietary AGEs may also indu...

Background/objectives: Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is an eating pattern of regular daily periods of restricted energy intake followed by periods of unrestricted energy intake. This is gaining prominence as an alternative weight-loss strategy to daily energy restriction (DER). The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effecti...

Extracts from different plant sources have been shown to modify starch digestion from carbohydrate-rich foods and lower resulting glycemia. It was hypothesized that extracts rich in polyphenols, added to white bread, would improve the glycemic response and insulin response and increase satiety in healthy participants. An in vitro dose-response anal...