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Health and Well-being
Moving Well – Being Well
Project synopsis
Moving Well – Being Well is a large-scale project assessing fundamental movement skills (FMS) of young people participating in hurling and Gaelic football. Dublin GAA have, in conjunction with the national GAA organisation, liaised with DCU about assessing the movement skills of children in Ireland. The GAA, with SFI and DCU, have implemented the project.
Just 11% of Irish teens have mastered fundamental movements that they should have mastered by the age of 6. While investigating the factors that motivate children to partake in physical activity, the existing research emphasises the importance of developing the fundamental movement skills in children. Tackling these problems requires a new perspective. In this vision, the individual has the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for maintaining purposeful physical pursuits/activities throughout the lifecycle. This singular, unique and ambitious project is assessing 3000+ students around the country with a view to better understand the relationship between physical literacy, health related fitness, wellbeing and physical activity. The “Moving Well – Being Well” project is the largest of its kind globally.
Engaged Research Partners
GAA, Dublin GAA
Engagement method or activity
This project sought to undertake research with and by a grassroots voluntary organisation, and to implement the outputs associated with the research.
- Assess the current status of Irish children’s physical literacy, particularly take into account the psychological, environmental and social factors, in which may contribute to children’s under-engagement with physical activity.
- Develop and evaluate a school based intervention with a specific focus on fundamental movement skills (FMS)
- Ascertain the best method to upskill teachers and coaches.
Project outputs and outcomes
The outputs are as follows:
- A school based intervention with a specific focus on fundamental movement skills (FMS).
The outcomes are as follows:
- Awareness of the importance of sports and exercise for young people
- Change in behaviour towards movement and exercise from the age of six year onwards
- Impact on the organisation and skills development of both coaches and parents at local level.
- Policy change within the GAA on skills development across the country, leading to predicted improved GAA skills and healthier lifestyles across the age groups
Longer term anticipated areas for Impact
- Health & Wellbeing through healthy living
- New knowledge through analytical data and publications
- Social engagement through sports, via the largest community–based and voluntary organisation in the country, with input to every town and parish in Ireland
- Human capacity through development of personal traits and behaviour
Higher Education Institute:
DCU
Funding source:
SFI & GAA, Dublin GAA
Academic Contact:
Prof Noel O’Connor (DCU)
