Lisa Ryan

Background/Objectives: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) are recognised for their roles in cardiovascular and brain health, with emerging evidence suggesting potential benefits for athletic performance and recovery. However, dietary intake and biological status of n-3PUFA remain poorly understood in athletes from intermittent team sports in Ireland, such as Gaelic football players. Through combining self-reported intake and biological assessment, this study provides, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive characterisation of n-3PUFA intake, supplementation practices, barriers to intake and biological status in this population. Methods: Players from nine intercounty Gaelic football teams (n = 76, 24.7 ± 3.2 years) completed a validated food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary n-3PUFA intake. A subgroup of participants (n = 20, 25.6 ± 3.5 years, 88.5 ± 5.7 kg) completed dry blood spot sampling to determine their Omega-3 Index (O3i). Results: A total of 63% (n = 48) of participants met or exceeded the European Food Safety Authority Adequate Intake (AI) of 250–500 mg/day for EPA+DHA. Supplement users were significantly more likely to meet or exceed the AI compared with non-users (89.7% vs. 35.1%; p < 0.001). In the subgroup assessed, the mean O3i was 6.06 ± 0.93%, with no participant achieving an O3i of ≥8%. Dietary intake was not significantly correlated with O3i (ρ = −0.09, 95% CI [−0.51, 0.37]), however, this analysis was likely underpowered due to the small subsample assessed. Barriers to fish consumption included sensory factors (29%), cooking ability (23%) and a lack of knowledge on n-3PUFA (20%). Conclusions: The subsample assessed (n = 20) had an O3i below the cardioprotective threshold of 8%, however, implications for performance or recovery remain unclear. Given the cross-sectional design and small biomarker sample, intake-status findings should be interpreted as descriptive. Targeted interventions addressing both intake and supplementation practices may be needed to improve n-3PUFA intake and status in this population.

Introduction: Sport-related head injury is increasingly recognised as a public health concern; however, research has predominantly focused on acute injury and individual recovery. Far less attention has been paid to how concussion and cumulative head injury are experienced and managed within families over time. In particular, the invisibility of concussion, the labour required of families to secure care, and the role of fragmented systems in shaping long-term harm remain underexplored. This study examines family experiences of living with and responding to the long-term consequences of sport-related head injury. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with family members of individuals who had experienced sport-related head injury ( n = 10). Participants included parents, partners, spouses and adult children. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's approach. Analysis was iterative, inductive, and interpretive, focusing on patterned meaning across cases rather than prevalence. Results: Three interrelated themes were identified: (1) Struggling for recognition of an invisible injury, (2) Family advocacy as expected and exhausting labour, and (3) Fractured systems and preventing further harm. Families consistently described early identified recognition that something was wrong, which was repeatedly dismissed and/or minimised by medical, educational, and sporting institutions. The lack of recognition compelled parents and partners to assume prolonged advocacy roles, including care coordination, risk management, and crisis response, often in the absence of guidance or support. Health, education, and sport systems were experienced as siloed and reactive, with intervention frequently triggered only by crisis rather than functional impairment. Conclusions: Family experiences of sport-related head injury are shaped by the interaction between invisible injury, unrecognised expertise, and fragmented systems. Long-term harm is socially and institutionally produced through delayed recognition and the routine transfer of responsibility onto families, highlighting the need to reconceptualise concussion as a condition with enduring family-wide consequences.

Introduction: Participation in ultra-endurance running events, or ultramarathons, has grown substantially in recent decades. These events often take place in challenging environments, such as deserts with extreme heat, which place considerable physiological and psychological stress on participants. Combined with high training demands and limited access to nutrition and hydration, such activity can have short- or long-term health consequences. Objective: To qualitatively examine the nutrition practices and experiences of five ultra-endurance runners in their preparation for, participation in, and recovery from the self-sufficient multi-day ultra-marathon situated in the Sahara Desert (the Marathon des Sables) to support professionals in their understanding of such experiences and, ultimately, their development of appropriately supportive recommendations. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews ( n = 3 per participant) and reflexive thematic analysis to examine the experiences of five ultra-endurance runners. The resulting transcripts were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework to identify common practices in nutrition and training approaches. Results: Common dietary practices included a reliance on unprocessed foods before the event and dehydrated foods during the event, while the recovery period was much more relaxed and lacked any specific dietary approach. Gastrointestinal symptoms varied between participants, ranging from mild discomfort to nausea and vomiting which impacted race performance. Though not an initial aim of this research, it became apparent that ultra-endurance running is accompanied by extreme psychological challenges which impacted race performance, highlighting the interaction between nutritional practices and psychological responses during the event. Discussion: Findings from this exploratory study suggest that while commonalities exist in both the physiological and psychological experiences of ultra-endurance runners, there remains a high degree of diversity in athletes' experiences. This highlights the need for further research and collaborations across disciplines to develop a holistic approach to support optimal ultra-endurance preparation, performance, and recovery.

Nutrition care is fundamental to effective healthcare; nevertheless, its everyday implementation by Irish healthcare professionals (HCPs) is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, practice, and perceived barriers to delivering nutrition care among HCPs and students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in Ireland. A qualitative design using semi‐structured interviews was conducted with 37 purposively selected HCPs and students from diverse clinical and primary care settings. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key patterns and insights. Three central themes were identified: (1) Professional Boundaries, Confidence & Perceived Competence in Nutrition Knowledge, (2) Structural & Logistical Barriers to Nutrition Integration and (3) Variability in Nutrition Integration & Its Impact on Healthcare Practice. Participants universally acknowledged the importance of nutrition; however, unclear role boundaries, limited formal education, inconsistent referral processes and resource constraints hindered its implementation. Confidence in providing nutrition advice was largely driven by personal initiative rather than structured education, leading to inconsistent care. Uncertainty surrounding referral pathways, and concerns about burdening colleagues compounded barriers to effective nutrition support. Despite valuing interdisciplinary collaboration, siloed working practices resulted in missed opportunities for timely, coordinated nutrition interventions—especially for patients with complex needs. A disconnect exists between the acknowledged value of nutrition care and its practical integration into Irish healthcare. Addressing this gap requires enhanced undergraduate and postgraduate training, clearer referral frameworks, stronger interprofessional collaboration and improved access to dietetic support. These measures are essential to strengthen nutrition care delivery and improve patient outcomes across healthcare settings.

Background/Objectives: Concussions occur across all sports globally; however, inconsistent symptom recognition continues to challenge diagnosis, management, and recovery. Although concussion effects extend beyond neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms remain insufficiently captured within current assessment frameworks and may influence athletes’ fuelling choices and food tolerance during recovery. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and patterns of GI symptoms reported among athletes with a history of concussion and to explore whether symptom prevalence and burden differed by sex and country. Methods: A total of 401 adult athletes (225 males; mean age 32.4 ± 11.3 years) with a history of concussion were recruited from a multinational cohort (n = 123) and a US community rugby cohort (n = 278). Participants completed online surveys assessing concussion history, post-concussion symptoms (RPQ or SCAT-6), and GI-specific symptoms. Data were stratified by sex and country and analysed descriptively and comparatively. Results: Overall, 62.1% of athletes reported ≥1 GI symptom, with most reporting 1–5 symptoms (79.9%). The most frequent symptoms were nausea/vomiting (74.3%) and loss of/poor appetite (56.6%), followed by diarrhoea, abdominal pain/discomfort, and flatulence. Although GI symptom prevalence was higher in females (65.9% vs. 59.1%), no significant sex differences were observed (all p > 0.05). GI symptom burden varied by country (p < 0.001), with higher prevalence among Irish than US athletes (85.9% vs. 51.2%); however, these analyses were exploratory and unadjusted. RPQ and SCAT captured symptoms across somatic, cognitive, emotional, and sleep domains, however GI symptoms were underrepresented, with nausea/vomiting more frequently reported on RPQ/SCAT items (51.4%) than on GI-specific items (46.1%). Conclusions: GI symptoms were common following concussion, with variation by country and no statistically significant differences by sex. Findings indicate that concussion assessment tools (RPQ/SCAT) underrepresent the breadth of GI symptoms. Greater attention to GI assessment in concussion care is warranted. Incorporating simple GI screening alongside timely nutrition support may represent feasible additions to multidisciplinary, athlete-centred care pathways. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the clinical relevance of these findings and evaluate nutrition-related strategies.

Tactical athletes, including military service members, are exposed to occupational demands that increase their risk of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), particularly through blast exposure, falls, collisions, and repeated sub-concussive events. Although clinical tools and progressive return-to-activity protocols support acute management, recovery may remain fragmented when physical, cognitive, psychological, and performance domains are not integrated. Military personnel require recovery models which extend beyond symptom resolution and return-to-duty clearance. Holistic performance programming offers a multidimensional framework which incorporates subject matter experts across strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, nutrition, behavioural health, cognitive performance, and human performance optimisation. This narrative review examines the role of holistic performance programming in optimising recovery from mTBI among tactical athletes, with emphasis on interdisciplinary care, structured assessment, recovery periodisation, monitoring technologies, and return-to-duty readiness. The role of embedded subject matter experts in identifying and monitoring mTBI; interdisciplinary care models which integrate clinical and performance expertise; structured recovery pathways from assessment to reintegration; and the importance of flexibility, communication, and service member engagement are examined. In addition, the review assesses the potential use of biomarkers, wearable technologies, and multi-domain assessment tools to guide individualised recovery. Holistic performance programming may bridge the gap between clinical recovery and operational readiness following mTBI. By integrating physical, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, and sleep-related strategies, this approach may reduce fragmented care and better address the complex nature of mTBI recovery. Interdisciplinary performance teams may improve early recognition, individualised rehabilitation, safer return-to-duty decisions, and long-term readiness. Future practice should prioritise standardised assessment, real-time monitoring, education, and stigma reduction.

The European Green Deal is Europe’s ambitious and multi-layered response to climate change. Translating its objectives into action for a green transition has created a need for new skills and competencies. Vocational and Education Training (VET) systems are uniquely positioned to equip learners with these emerging green and transversal competences through their dual focus on knowledge dissemination and applied practice. However, current VET curricula remain oriented towards traditional occupations and are not adequately aligned with the sustainability and skills needs of the agri-food sector. This study, as part of a joint European-funded project (2023-1-IE01-KA220-VET-00156916: Train to Sustain), aimed to: (1) identify practical strategies for integrating sustainability concepts and innovative pedagogy into VET programs, and (2) gather multi-stakeholder perspectives on how VET agri-food education can be adapted for greater alignment with the green skills required by the sector. Following ethical approval, data were collected through semi-structured focus groups involving key agri-food stakeholder groups across Ireland, Slovenia, Poland and Italy. The data were qualitatively analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Five themes were identified: (1) Innovative and Sustainable Practices in Agri-Food systems, (2) Education, Awareness and Consumer Engagement, (3) Institutional and Structural Approaches, (4) Community and Localised Responses, and (5) Barriers, Opportunities and Future Directions. The findings highlight the significant potential VET offers in preparing a workforce with the cross-cutting sustainability competences and sector-specific skills needed to drive the innovation and growth of the agri-food sector. However, achieving this requires institutional change, strengthened collaboration, and a shift from traditional technical training toward curriculum models that embed sustainability principles across diverse local and regional contexts.