UCD X Hockey Ireland National Underage Pathway Research
This research programme is funded by Sport Ireland (Sport Ireland Research Grant Scheme 2024). Led by Dr Sinéad Holden, the project is a collaboration between University College Dublin (UCD) and Hockey Ireland.
Approach
Elite adolescent male and female players in contention for the U16 and U18 National panels are invited to participate in a comprehensive longitudinal study. The project profiles key athletic performance measures (strength, speed, power, reactive ability) as players progress through the pathway, alongside monitoring the demands placed on them while competing at this level. This includes ongoing tracking training load, health (injury) and well-being.
In addition, qualitative interviews are used to gain a deeper insight into the psychological and emotional demands placed on adolescent elite athletes, exploring their lived experiences within the pathway.
Impact
Together with Hockey Ireland, UCD has co-developed an educational leaflet and practical guidance on balancing training load, recovery and athletic development in developing athletes.
The guidelines incorporate best available evidence, preliminary findings from the project and applied expertise to support adequate recovery and adaptation, reduce the risk of burnout and overplaying, and promote resilience and long-term athletic development.
UCD Investigators
Collaborators
For additional information about UCD X Hockey Ireland Pathway project:
Study email: (opens in a new window)hockeypathway@gmail.com
Principal Investigator: Dr Sinead Holden (opens in a new window)sinead.holden@ucd.ie