Dr. Ciaran MacDonncha
Biography
Ciaran Mac Donncha has more than 20 years of experience working with different age groups in the context of measurement, physical activity and health promotion. His primary research focus is on the determinants and correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life-span and relevant data harmonisation. He graduated from the University of Limerick with a degree in Physical Education in 1991, he was awarded a Masters degree from the University of Bristol in Exercise and Health Sciences in 1992. He completed his Ph.D in 1998. Ciaran was appointed a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick in 1998. Since that time he has held the following posts of responsibility at the University: Programme Director, Head of Department and Assistant Dean of Research, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. He was a member of the National Steering Group for Physical Activity in Ireland who prepared the first National Physical Activity Guidelines and the Draft Physical Activity Plan for Ireland. He has secured approx. 1.6m in research funding; produced in excess of 60 research outputs; supervised 8 PhDs and 6 MSc students to completion; currently supervising 5 PhD students, Joint WP leader and Chair of DEDIPAC Data Pooling taskforce (2013-2016) - EU Joint Programme Initiative (JPI) Determinants of Diet, Physical Activity Knowledge HUB (DEDIPAC); member and made a significant contribution to the national committee on physical activity guidelines and national physical activity strategic policy (2008-2012); currently work package leader EMPATIA Erasmus+ project (2018-2020) and expert contributor EU JPI Policy Evaluation Network. Has engaged in significant research grant and journal peer review activities.Research Interests
Determinants/Correlates of Physical Activity and related Health; Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Physical Education and Public HealthProfessional Activities
Committee
- 2008 National Physical Activity Steering Committee,
- 2001 Physical Education Association of Ireland,
Employment
- 2003 University of Limerick - Lecturer
Education
- 1998 University of Limerick - Ph.D.
- 1992 University of Bristol - M.Sc.
- 1991 University of Limerick - B.A.
Peer Reviewed Journals
A National Audit of Typical Secondary School Provision of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sports in the Republic of Ireland
Rocliffe P.;O’ Keeffe B.T.;Sherwin I.;Mannix-McNamara P.;Mac Donncha C. (2023) A National Audit of Typical Secondary School Provision of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sports in the Republic of Ireland. Education Sciences
Policy determinants of physical activity across the life course: a 'DEDIPAC' umbrella systematic literature review
Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Carlin, A,Chantal, S,Ciarapica, D,Condello, G,Coppinger, T,Cortis, C,D'Haese, S,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Kanning, M,Kennedy, A,Ling, FCM,Luzak, A,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,Perchoux, C,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Sannella, A,Schulz, H,Sohun, R,Steinbrecher, A,Schlicht, W,Ricciardi, W,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S,DEDIPAC Consortium (2018) Policy determinants of physical activity across the life course: a 'DEDIPAC' umbrella systematic literature review. European Journal Of Public Health :105-118
Socio-economic determinants of physical activity across the life course: A "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella literature review
O'Donoghue, G,Kennedy, A,Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Carlin, A,Ciarapica, D,Colotto, M,Condello, G,Coppinger, T,Cortis, C,D'Haese, S,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Kanning, M,Ling, F,Luzak, A,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,Perchoux, C,Pesce, C,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Sannella, A,Schulz, H,Simon, C,Sohun, R,Steinbrecher, A,Schlicht, W,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S (2018) Socio-economic determinants of physical activity across the life course: A "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella literature review. Plos One
Determinants of diet and physical activity (DEDIPAC): a summary of findings
Brug, J,van der Ploeg, HP,Loyen, A,Ahrens, W,Allais, O,Andersen, LF,Cardon, G,Capranica, L,Chastin, S,De Bourdeaudhuij, I,De Craemer, M,Donnelly, A,Ekelund, U,Finglas, P,Flechtner-Mors, M,Hebestreit, A,Kubiak, T,Lanza, M,Lien, N,MacDonncha, C,Mazzocchi, M,Monsivais, P,Murphy, M,Nicolaou, M,Nothlings, U,O'Gorman, DJ,Renner, B,Roos, G,van den Berg, M,Schulze, MB,Steinacker, JM,Stronks, K,Volkert, D,Lakerveld, J,DEDIPAC Consortium (2017) Determinants of diet and physical activity (DEDIPAC): a summary of findings. International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition And Physical Activity
Psychological determinants of physical activity across the life course: A "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review
Cortis, C,Puggina, A,Pesce, C,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Carlin, A,Simon, C,Ciarapica, D,Condello, G,Coppinger, T,D'Haese, S,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Kanning, M,Kennedy, A,Ling, FCM,Luzak, A,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,O'Donoghue, G,Perchoux, C,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Sannella, A,Schulz, H,Sohun, R,Steinbrecher, A,Schlicht, W,Ricciardi, W,Castellani, L,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S (2017) Psychological determinants of physical activity across the life course: A "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review. Plos One
A life course examination of the physical environmental determinants of physical activity behaviour: A "Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review
Carlin, A,Perchoux, C,Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Chantal, S,Ciarapica, D,Condello, G,Coppinger, T,Cortis, C,D'Haese, S,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Kanning, M,Kennedy, A,Lakerveld, J,Ling, FCM,Luzak, A,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Sannella, A,Schulz, H,Sohun, R,Steinbrecher, A,Schlicht, W,Ricciardi, W,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S (2017) A life course examination of the physical environmental determinants of physical activity behaviour: A "Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review. Plos One
Validity and Reliability of Three Self-Report Instruments for Assessing Attainment of Physical Activity Guidelines in University Students
Murphy, JJ,Murphy, MH,MacDonncha, C,Murphy, N,Nevill, AM,Woods, CB (2017) Validity and Reliability of Three Self-Report Instruments for Assessing Attainment of Physical Activity Guidelines in University Students. Measurement In Physical Education And Exercise Science :134-141
Identifying and sharing data for secondary data analysis of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and their determinants across the life course in Europe: general principles and an example from DEDIPAC
Lakerveld, J,Loyen, A,Ling, FCM,De Craemer, M,van der Ploeg, HP,O'Gorman, DJ,Carlin, A,Caprinica, L,Kalter, J,Oppert, JM,Chastin, S,Cardon, G,Brug, J,MacDonncha, C (2017) Identifying and sharing data for secondary data analysis of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and their determinants across the life course in Europe: general principles and an example from DEDIPAC. BMJ open
Brief report: Associations of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms and status among adolescents
McDowell, CP,MacDonncha, C,Herring, MP (2017) Brief report: Associations of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms and status among adolescents. Journal Of Adolescence :1-4
Socio-cultural determinants of physical activity across the life course: a 'Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity' (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review
Jaeschke, L,Steinbrecher, A,Luzak, A,Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Carlin, A,Chantal, S,Ciarapica, D,Condello, G,Coppinger, T,Cortis, C,De Craemer, M,D'Haese, S,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Kanning, M,Kennedy, A,Ling, FCM,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,Perchoux, C,Polito, A,Ricciardi, W,Sannella, A,Schlicht, W,Sohun, R,MacDonncha, C,Boccia, S,Capranica, L,Schulz, H,Pischon, T,DEDIPAC Consortium (2017) Socio-cultural determinants of physical activity across the life course: a 'Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity' (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review. International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition And Physical Activity
Behavioral determinants of physical activity across the life course: a "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review
Condello, G,Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Buck, C,Burns, C,Cardon, G,Carlin, A,Simon, C,Ciarapica, D,Coppinger, T,Cortis, C,D'Haese, S,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Hansen, S,Iacoviello, L,Issartel, J,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Kanning, M,Kennedy, A,Ling, FCM,Luzak, A,Napolitano, G,Nazare, JA,Perchoux, C,Pesce, C,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Sannella, A,Schulz, H,Sohun, R,Steinbrecher, A,Schlicht, W,Ricciardi, W,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S,DEDIPAC Consortium (2017) Behavioral determinants of physical activity across the life course: a "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review. International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition And Physical Activity
Using concept mapping in the development of the EU-PAD framework (EUropean-Physical Activity Determinants across the life course): a DEDIPAC-study
Condello, G,Ling, FCM,Bianco, A,Chastin, S,Cardon, G,Ciarapica, D,Conte, D,Cortis, C,De Craemer, M,Di Blasio, A,Gjaka, M,Hansen, S,Holdsworth, M,Iacoviello, L,Izzicupo, P,Jaeschke, L,Leone, L,Manoni, L,Menescardi, C,Migliaccio, S,Nazare, JA,Perchoux, C,Pesce, C,Pierik, F,Pischon, T,Polito, A,Puggina, A,Sannella, A,Schlicht, W,Schulz, H,Simon, C,Steinbrecher, A,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,DEDIPAC Consortium (2016) Using concept mapping in the development of the EU-PAD framework (EUropean-Physical Activity Determinants across the life course): a DEDIPAC-study. Bmc Public Health
Towards the integration and development of a cross-European research network and infrastructure: the DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub
Lakerveld, J,van der Ploeg, HP,Kroeze, W,Ahrens, W,Allais, O,Andersen, LF,Cardon, G,Capranica, L,Chastin, S,Donnelly, A,Ekelund, U,Finglas, P,Flechtner-Mors, M,Hebestreit, A,Hendriksen, I,Kubiak, T,Lanza, M,Loyen, A,MacDonncha, C,Mazzocchi, M,Monsivais, P,Murphy, M,Nothlings, U,O'Gorman, DJ,Renner, B,Roos, G,Schuit, AJ,Schulze, M,Steinacker, J,Stronks, K,Volkert, D,van't Veer, P,Lien, N,De Bourdeaudhuij, I,Brug, J,DEDIPAC Consortium (2014) Towards the integration and development of a cross-European research network and infrastructure: the DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub. International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition And Physical Activity
Year in School and Physical Activity Stage of Change as Discriminators of Variation in the Physical Activity Correlate Profile of Adolescent Females
Burns, C,Murphy, JJ,MacDonncha, C (2014) Year in School and Physical Activity Stage of Change as Discriminators of Variation in the Physical Activity Correlate Profile of Adolescent Females. Journal Of Physical Activity & Health :721-728
Reliability and validity of a new physical activity self-report measure for Younger Children
Belton, S; Mac Donncha, C. (2010) Reliability and validity of a new physical activity self-report measure for Younger Children. Measurement In Physical Education And Exercise Science :15-28
Meeting the international adolescent physical activity guidelines: A comparison of objectively measured and self-reported physical activity levels
Shiely, F; MacDonncha, C. (2009) Meeting the international adolescent physical activity guidelines: A comparison of objectively measured and self-reported physical activity levels. Irish Medical Journal
Lower back pain in physically demanding college academic programs: a questionnaire based study
Brennan, G; Shafat, A; Mac Donncha, C; Vekins, C (2007) Lower back pain in physically demanding college academic programs: a questionnaire based study. Bmc Musculoskeletal Disorders
THE CONSTRAINTS ON SCHOOL PROVISION OF POST-PRIMARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND: PRINCIPALS' AND TEACHERS' VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES
MacPhail, A; Halbert, J; McEvilly, N; Hutchinson, C; MacDonncha, C (2005) THE CONSTRAINTS ON SCHOOL PROVISION OF POST-PRIMARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND: PRINCIPALS' AND TEACHERS' VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES. Irish Educational Studies :77-91
A reliable technique for the assessment of posture: assessment criteria for aspects of posture
Watson, AWS; Mac Donncha, C (2000) A reliable technique for the assessment of posture: assessment criteria for aspects of posture. Journal Of Sports Medicine And Physical Fitness :260-270
Validity of field tests for evaluating endurance capacity in competitive and international-level sports participants
O'Gorman, D; Hunter, A; McDonnacha, C; Kirwan, JP (2000) Validity of field tests for evaluating endurance capacity in competitive and international-level sports participants. Journal Of Strength And Conditioning Research :62-67
Reliability of Eurofit physical fitness items for adolescent males with and without mental retardation
MacDonncha, C; Watson, AWS; McSweeney, T; O'Donovan, DJ (1999) Reliability of Eurofit physical fitness items for adolescent males with and without mental retardation. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly :86-95
Books
Book Chapters
Edited Books
Other Journals
Primary Care Exercise Referral - Interim Findings.
Reddan, S; Sohun, R; MacDonncha, C (2007) Primary Care Exercise Referral - Interim Findings.. National Institute of Health Sciences Research Bulletin :76-79
Implementing a whole school approach to physical activity - preliminary findings in three pilot schools in the mid-west.
Sohun, R; MacDonncha, C (2007) Implementing a whole school approach to physical activity - preliminary findings in three pilot schools in the mid-west.. National Institute of Health Sciences Research Bulletin :74-75
The effect of a physical activity education programme in the hospital workplace setting.
Sohun, R; MacDonncha, C; Breen, C; Neeson, B (2005) The effect of a physical activity education programme in the hospital workplace setting.. National Institute of Health Sciences Research Bulletin
Conference Publications
11th ICCE Global Coach Conference Challenging Sport Coaching Frontiers: The Role of Sport Science and Technology'
Kinnerk, P., Harvey, S., MacDonncha, C. & Lyons, M. (2017) 11th ICCE Global Coach Conference Challenging Sport Coaching Frontiers: The Role of Sport Science and Technology'.
The Comparison Of Free-living Sedentary Time Using The Activpal3 Micro And The ActiGraph Gt3x.
Hayes, G,Dowd, KP,Powell, C,MacDonncha, C,Donnelly, AE (2016) The Comparison Of Free-living Sedentary Time Using The Activpal3 Micro And The ActiGraph Gt3x.. Medicine and science in sports and exercise :314-314
EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (EUPHA)
Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Carlin, A,Condello, G,Cortis, C,Jaeschke, L,Kennedy, A,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,Boccia, S,DEDIPAC Consortium (2016) EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (EUPHA).
European Public Health Association (EUPHA)
Boccia, S,Puggina, A,Aleksovska, K,Carlin, A,Condello, G,Cortis, C,Jaeschke, L,Kennedy, A,MacDonncha, C,Capranica, L,DEDIPAC Consortium (2016) European Public Health Association (EUPHA).
JPI HDHL Joint Action: DEDIPAC
Ahrens, W,Lakerveld, J,van der Ploeg, HP,Kroeze, W,Allais, O,Andersen, LF,Cardon, G,Capranica, L,Chastin, S,Donnelly, A,Ekelund, U,Finglas, P,Flechtner-Mors, M,Hebestreit, A,Hendriksen, I,Kubiak, T,Lanza, M,Loyen, A,MacDonncha, C,Mazzocchi, M,Monsivais, P,Murphy, M,Nothlings, U,O'Gorman, DJ,Renner, B,Roos, G,Schuit, AJ,Schulze, M,Steinacker, J,Stronks, K,Volkert, D,van't Veer, P,Lien, NN,De Bourdeaudhuij, I,Brug, J,DEDIPAC Consortium (2015) JPI HDHL Joint Action: DEDIPAC. Annals Of Nutrition And Metabolism :33-34
European Conference of Developmental Psychology
Connell, A; Smyth, PJ; MacDonncha C (2009) European Conference of Developmental Psychology.
American College of Sports Medicine
O'Neill, CM; MacDonncha, C (2007) American College of Sports Medicine.
American College of Sports Medicine
MacDonncha, C; McGrath, S; O'Gorman, D J; Warrington, GD (2003) American College of Sports Medicine.
American College of Sports Medicine
McGrath, S; Warrington, G; MacDonncha, C; O'Gorman, DJ (2003) American College of Sports Medicine.
American College of Sports Medicine
MacDonncha, C; Sohun, R; McGrath, S; O'Gorman, DJ; McGowan, E; Warrington GD (2003) American College of Sports Medicine.
European College of Sport Science
Murphy, A; Smyth, PJ; Mac Donncha, C (2000) European College of Sport Science.
Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences
MacDonncha, C; A.W.S. Watson, AWS (1998) Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences.
Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences
MacDonncha, C; A.W.S. Watson, AWS (1998) Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences. :167-
Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences
MacDonncha, C; A.W.S. Watson, AWS (1997) Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences.
Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences
MacDonncha, C; A.W.S. Watson, AWS (1997) Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences. :165-
American College of Sports Medicine
O' Gorman, D; Hunter, A; Mac Donncha, C; Kirwan, JP (1996) American College of Sports Medicine.
Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences
MacDonncha, C; Watson, AWS (1996) Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland; Section of Biomedical Sciences.
Conference Contributions
The measurement of changes in well-being, health, physical activity and lifestyle by volunteers in the Limerick Smarter Travel (LST) challenge programme: a pilot study.
Y Nathan; A Hannigan; C O'Gorman; A Donnelly; M Mannix; C MacDonncha; C Dunne W Cullen. (2013) The measurement of changes in well-being, health, physical activity and lifestyle by volunteers in the Limerick Smarter Travel (LST) challenge programme: a pilot study. .
Published Reports
The National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland
The National Physical Activity Steering Group (2009) The National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland. Dublin : Department of Health and Children, Health Service Executive
Socialisation of people with a disability by motivating them for adapted physical activity
European Commission, Socrates Project - No 71189-CP-2-2000-1-LT-Minerva-ODL (2000) Socialisation of people with a disability by motivating them for adapted physical activity. European Commission : European Commission, Socrates Project - No 71189-CP-2-2000-1-LT-Minerva-ODL, http://distance.ktu.lt
Physical Activity Participation programme for people with Disability
Socrates Project - No 71189-CP-2-2000-1-LT-Minerva-ODL (2000) Physical Activity Participation programme for people with Disability. European Commission : European Commission, Socrates Project - No 71189-CP-2-2000-1-LT-Minerva-ODL, http://distance.ktu.lt/
Report of the people with a disability in sport taskforce
MacDonncha, C (1999) Report of the people with a disability in sport taskforce. Government of Ireland : Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. Government of Ireland
Editorials
Book Reviews
Other Publications
Physical education: benefits to society
MacDonncha, C (2002) Physical education: benefits to society. THE IRISH SCIENTIST :230-
A strategy for Physical Education in Ireland. Presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science
MacDonncha, C (2001) A strategy for Physical Education in Ireland. Presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science.
Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Irish Adolescents
MacDonncha, C; Sohun, R (2001) Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in Irish Adolescents. Elements