Biography

Dr Ian Kenny is a professor in biomechanics, within the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. He is Co-Director of the Sport and Human Performance Research Centre (SHPRC). He teaches biomechanics and functional anatomy and specialises in applied sports biomechanics and musculoskeletal modelling. Ian's research interests are in the areas of: Injury biomechanics; Musculoskeletal modelling and computer simulation of movement; Sport and human performance; Effects of equipment parameters on golf performance. Ian serves on the editorial board for the journals Frontiers, and Sports Engineering and the Scientific Committee for the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. He is co-Principal Investigator for the Irish Rugby Football Union IRIS injury epidemiology project.

Ian lectured previously at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown and was a member of the Sports & Exercise Sciences Research Institute at UU.He held a DEL CAST research fellowship with Ulster University and golf's R&A, and he worked within the R&D team for the R&A Rules Ltd. in St. Andrews on the topic of biomechanical and modelling analysis of shaft length effects on golf driving performance.

Ian led the design and foundation of the MSc in Sports Performance launched January 2012 which was a finalist in 2015 national PG programme of the year and 2019 national winner, and a dedicated golf biomechanics research facility at the University of Limerick. Ian has represented Ireland internationally at junior and senior level in athletics.

Education:
B.Sc. (Hons) in Sports Science, University of Ulster (2003)
Diploma in Industrial Studies (Commendation), University of Ulster (2003)
PhD in Biomechanics, University of Ulster (2006)

Research Interests: Injury Biomechanics. The effects of equipment parameters on the golf swing. Sport and human performance. Musculoskeletal modelling and computer simulation of movement. Sports Engineering.

Research Funding (selected):
2.3 million
-Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility. ‘‘Irish Rugby Injury and Illness Surveillance' at University of Limerick and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Ian Kenny (PESS) + Tom Comyns (PESS) + Pierre Viviers (Stellenbosch University) + James Brown (Stellenbosch University / Leeds Met). 2024-2025: 26,400
-Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU): Irish Rugby Football Union Injury Surveillance And Prevention Programme: Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRFU-IRIS) Phase II. Ian Kenny (PI), Tom Comyns (Co-PI), Giles Warrington, Kieran O'Sullivan, Roisin Cahalan, Drew Harrison, Mark Lyons, Mark Campbell, Liam Glynn, Helen Purtill. (2022-2030): 319,573
-Irish Research Council GOI IRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship. Rugby injury epidemiology and relation to psychological factors. Postdoctoral mentor. (2020-2023): 91,970
-Education and Health Sciences / Health Research Institute Succeed & Lead Postdoctoral Fellowship 2019: Rugby injury epidemiology and relation to psychological factors. Postdoctoral mentor. (2019-2021): c.200,000
-Health Research Institute PhD research funding: Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance: Amateur Rugby. PhD supervisor with Dr Tom Comyns and Prof Liam Glynn for: Patrick Dolan. (2019-2023): 107,640
-Irish Research Council (IRC) PhD research funding: The development of injury prevention measures in amateur Rugby Union through the examination of training load. PhD co-supervisor with Dr Mark Lyons, Dr Tom Comyns for: Alan Griffin. (2019-2021): 48,000
-PD+PA (Product Design + Performing Arts). The Creative Process meets the Creative Product - enhancing the performance Artist through research, design and technology. HRI Health Research Institute Research Cluster Capacity Building Awards 2018. Louise Kiernan (School of Design), Orfhlaith Ni Nhriain (Irish World Academy), Bernard Hartigan (School of Design), Roisin Cahalan (Allied Health), Ian Kenny (PESS), Drew Harrison (PESS), Briga Hayes (Management & Marketing). 90,000
-Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility. Rugby concussion injury surveillance? at University of Limerick and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Mark Campbell (PESS), Ian Kenny (PESS) + Pierre Viviers (Stellenbosch University). 2018-2020. 2,700
-Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility. High performance training environments? at University of Limerick and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Mark Campbell (PESS), Ian Kenny (PESS) + Grant van Velden (Stellenbosch University). 2018-2019. 2,200
-University of Limerick PESS Research Scholarship. The development of injury prevention measures in amateur Rugby through the examination of training load. PhD co-supervisor with Dr Mark Lyons, Dr Tom Comyns for: Alan Griffin (2018-2022): 72,000
-Health Research Institute (HRI) SEED 2018: Development of a process to study concussion recovery using blood based biomarkers. John Mulvihill (Bernal), Eibhlís O'Connor (Bernal), Kieran McGourty (Bernal), Tom Comyns (PESS), Ian Kenny (PESS), Peter Boers (UHL). 2018. 17,781.
-Force&Motion' paper award Healy, R., Kenny, I.C. and Harrison, A.J. (2017) The assessment of stride frequency in running using a single accelerometer. Proceedings of the 2016 International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference, 14-18 June 2017, Cologne, Germany. (2017): 500
-Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility 9,412. Golf Performance Adapted Physical Activity at University of Limerick and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dr Mark Campbell (PESS), Dr Ian Kenny (PESS) + Professor Liz Bressan (Stellenbosch University). June 2016.
-Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU): Irish Rugby Football Union Injury Surveillance And Prevention Programme: Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRFU-IRIS)'. Ian Kenny (PI), Tom Comyns (Co-PI), Giles Warrington, Kieran O'Sullivan, Drew Harrison, Mark Lyons, Mark Campbell, Michael Griffin, Kevin Hayes. (2016-2020): 187,000
-University of Limerick EHS PhD Research Scholarship: Long-term Functional Knee Biomechanics after Total Knee Replacement. Rachel Hanzak + Ian Kenny + Drew Harrison + Galway Clinic + Leeds Metropolitan University. (2015-2019): 19,768
-University of Limerick EHS PhD Research Scholarship: Medial Leg Functional Biomechanics following Traditional Total Knee Replacement. Ciaran McInerney + Ian Kenny + Drew Harrison + Galway Clinic + Leeds Metropolitan University. (2015-2019): 19,768
-Force&Motion paper award Norris, M., Kenny, I.C. and Anderson, R. (2015) Marathon stride rate dynamics: a case study. Proceedings of the 2015 International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference, 29 June to 3 July 2015, Poitiers, France. . (2015): 500
-Force&Motion paper award Norris, M., Kenny, I.C. and Anderson, R. (2015) Comparison of accelerometry stride time calculations method. Proceedings of the 2015 International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference, 29 June – 3 July 2015, Poitiers, France. (2015): 500
-Force&Motion paper award Whelan, N., Healy, R., Kenny, I.C. and Harrison, A.J. (2015) A comparison of foot strike events using the force plate and peak impact acceleration measures. Proceedings of the 2015 International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference, 29 June – 3 July 2015, Poitiers, France. (2015): 500
-Best poster research 2014 University Hospital Limerick Research Symposium: Lifestyle & Health category = Kenny, I.C., Breen, S. and Harrison A.J. (2014), Knee Joint Mechanics after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: 500
-National Strength and Conditioning Association, Annual International Conference Best Paper award 2014: Beattie, K., Carson, B.P., Lyons M. and Kenny, I.C. (2014) The Relationship between Neuromuscular Force-Velocity Characteristics and Performance Indicators in Competitive Distance Runners. Proceedings of the 2014 NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association International Conference, Murcia Spain, 26 June to 28 June 2014, Murcia, Spain : 300
-International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference 2014 (ISBS) travel grant . Strength, balance and flexibility characteristics of golfers of a variety of handicaps. Terence Moriarty + Ian Kenny (2014): 300
-National Strength and Conditioning Association, Annual International Conference Best Paper award 2014: Beattie, K., Carson, B.P., Lyons M. and Kenny, I.C. (2014) The Relationship between Neuromuscular Force-Velocity Characteristics and Performance Indicators in Competitive Distance Runners. Proceedings of the 2014 NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association International Conference, Murcia Spain, 26 June to 28 June 2014, Murcia, Spain : 300
-Irish Research Council (IRC) PhD research funding: Developing best practice in strength training for athletics: selection and implementation of strength training exercises (2013-2017): 96,000
-University of Limerick PESS Research Scholarship. Developing best practice in strength training for athletics: selection and implementation of strength training exercises. Robin Healy, Drew Harrison and Ian Kenny (2013-2017): 72,000
-International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) UG student research grant 2012. Strength, balance and flexibility characteristics of golfers of different handicaps. Terence Moriarty + Ian Kenny (2012): 300
-University of Limerick UL40 Research Scholarship: Longitudinal examination of movement health indices via wearable sensing technology. Michelle Norris, Ross Anderson + Ian Kenny (2012-2016): 40,000
-University of Limerick PESS Research Scholarship. The Effect of Strength Training on Performance in Competitive Endurance Sports. Kris Beattie, Ian Kenny, Mark Lyons + Brian Carson (2012-2016): 72,000
-Out on a limb amputee biomechanics project commenced February 2012 http://outonalimbproject.weebly.com/ . Biomechanics (Drew Harrison + Ian Kenny, PESS) and Physiotherapy (Karen McCreesh + Neasa Canavan, Clinical Therapies) support for Ireland's first amputee blade marathon runner Simon Baker. Funded by IDS Prosthetics, Otto Bock (2012): 11,100
-Enterprise Ireland (Innovation voucher): Commercialisation feasibility study with Avenir SportsTM for the Biomechanics Research Unit's Video Performance Analysis Academy (VPAA) (2012): 5,000
-EMMAPA (Erasmus Mundus) research grant 10,200. Adapted Physical Activity Biomechanics of Golf, Motor Control and Physiotherapy'at University of Limerick and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dr Mark Campbell (PESS), Dr Amanda Clifford (Clinical Therapies) and Dr Ian Kenny (PESS). February 2012.
-Video Performance Analysis Academy, University of Limerick enterprise (2010-2012): 82,017.
-Education & Health Sciences (EHS) Research Bursary Programme 2011: Projectiles Measurement and Performance: 2,000.
-Students as teaching consultants, Centre for Teaching and Learning & PESS, University of Limerick (2011): 600
-Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Conference and Workshop Programme Grant: 27th International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, University of Limerick (2009): 21,904.75
-Commercial sponsorship for ISBS 2009: 27th International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS), University of Limerick (2009), 23 companies: 45,641
-Golphysics: Modelling Analysis of the Golf Swing (2009): 3,842
-University of Limerick SEED award 2008: Qualitative Video Analysis Facilities to Enhance Biomechanics and Physical Education Research (2008-2010): 5,000
-Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) PhD research funding: Creation of Virtual Subjects to Examine Variability within Human Movement (2008-2011): 72,000
-Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) PhD research funding: An investigation into female maturation and its role in ACL injury (2008-2011): 72,000
-Wexford Co. Council Vocational Education Committee postgraduate research travel fund: Characterisation of biomechanics and physiological differences between high and low handicap golfers, 2008: 1,001
-Aisling Bursary: West Belfast Partnership Board Postgraduate Award (2008-2009): 1,250. -University of Limerick SEED award 2007: biomechanical modelling research (2007-2009): 10,000
-Wexford Co. Council Vocational Education Committee postgraduate research award: Characterisation of biomechanics and physiological differences between high and low handicap golfers (2007-2010): 6,000
-DEL CAST award. Department of Education & Learning N.I. and the R&A Rules Ltd. St. Andrews: Biomechanical and modelling analysis of shaft length effects on golf driving performance (2003-2006): 67,500

Research Interests

Injury Biomechanics. Rugby injury epidemiology. The effects of equipment parameters on the golf swing. Musculoskeletal modelling and computer simulation of movement. Lower limb loading and footfall pressure patterns. Sports Engineering.

PhD research supervision [12 PhD completed, 6 MSc MRes completed]:
'Concussion Management in Rugby Union'
'Injuries in Amateur Male and Female Rugby Union'
'Irish Rugby Football Union Injury Surveillance and Prevention: Schools'
'Irish Rugby Football Union Injury Surveillance and Prevention: S&C warm-up'
'The development of injury prevention measures in amateur Rugby through the examination of training load'
'Best practice in strength training for athletics: selection and implementation of plyometric training exercises'
'An evaluation into movement specificity of resistance exercises'
'Analysis of kinematics and muscle activation patterns in athletic practices'
'Is movement variability relevant for the elite golfer? A biomechanical and modelling perspective'
'An investigation into female maturation and its role in ACL injury'
'The Effect of Strength Training on Performance in Competitive Endurance Sports'
'Longitudinal examination of movement health indices via wearable sensing technology'

Other current projects:
'Examination of putting movement and performance variability using standard, belly and long putters'
'Investigating the role of a Functional Movement Screen test in predicting injury'
'Visual Attentional Control And Shot Performance For Drives and Putting By Disabled and Able-Bodies Golfers'
'Fascial Stretch Therapy and resistance intervention for the examination of range of motion and sports performance'

Professional Activities

Committee

  • International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) Organising Committee 2009,
  • Sports Engineering Journal Editorial Board,
  • ISBS Conference Scientific Committee member 2010 to 2024,
  • The Undergraduate Awards. International Life Sciences Judging Panel 2015 to 2024,
  • University Complaints Committee,
  • University Disciplinary Committee Chairperson,
  • University Admissions Appeal Committee ,
  • University Academic Programme Regulations Committee (APRC) ,

Other

  • External Examiner South East Technological University (SETU)
  • External Examiner Loughborough University

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journals

2021

Epidemiology of Shoulder Injuries in Schoolboy Rugby Union in Ireland

Leahy, TM;Kenny, IC;Campbell, MJ;Warrington, GD;Cahalan, R;Harrison, AJ;Lyons, M;Glynn, LG;O'Sullivan, K;Purtill, H;Comyns, TM (2021) Epidemiology of Shoulder Injuries in Schoolboy Rugby Union in Ireland. THOUSAND OAKS : SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC Orthopaedic Journal Of Sports Medicine

Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Chapters

2008

Golf Science

Wallace, ES; Kingston, K; Strangwood, M; Kenny, IC (2008) Golf Science. Maastrict : Shaker Science and sports. Bridging the gap :94-106

Edited Books

Other Journals

Conference Publications

2018

ACSM 2018

Yeomans, CA;Comyns, TM;Cahalan, R;Warrington, GD;Harrison, AJ;Hayes, K;Lyons, M;Campbell, MJ;Kenny, IC (2018) ACSM 2018. :168-168

Conference Contributions

Published Reports

Editorials

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications

2019

Corrigendum to “Injury surveillance in schools rugby: A systematic review of injury epidemiology & surveillance practices” (Physical Therapy in Sport (2019) 38 (170–178), (S1466853X19301191), (10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.05.005))

Leahy T.;Kenny I.;Campbell M.;Warrington G.;Cahalan R.;Harrison A.;Lyons M.;Glynn L.;Comyns T. (2019) Corrigendum to “Injury surveillance in schools rugby: A systematic review of injury epidemiology & surveillance practices” (Physical Therapy in Sport (2019) 38 (170–178), (S1466853X19301191), (10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.05.005)). Physical Therapy In Sport :-44