Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI)
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Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Commissioned and Published by Student Sport Ireland 2016 Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Acknowledgements This study consisted of three phases of data collection conducted in the following 36 higher education colleges across the island of Ireland. Belfast Metropolitan College Maynooth University Coláiste Mhuire, Marino National College of Ireland Cork IT North West Regional College Dublin City University Northern Regional College Dublin IT NUI Galway Dun Laoghaire IADT Queen’s University Belfast Dundalk IT South Eastern Regional College Galway Mayo IT South West Regional College Griffith College, Dublin Southern Regional College IT Blanchardstown St. Angela’s College, Sligo IT Carlow St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra IT Letterkenny Stranmillis University College IT Sligo Trinity College Dublin IT Tallaght Ulster University IT Tralee University College Cork Limerick IT University College Dublin Mary Immaculate College University of Limerick Mater Dei Institute of Education Waterford IT Given the extent of the study, the geographical spread of the colleges, the need for local institutional involvement and the extent of resources available to complete the study, the research team relied heavily upon the contribution of institutional “Champions”. Thank you to all the following Champions who assisted in this research – without their huge effort this study would not have been possible: Aaron Ballantyne (North West RC) Lynda Robinson (South Eastern RC) Anne Marie Kelly (Letterkenny IT) Lynn Hegarty (Northern RC) Alexandra Murphy (Trinity College) Maura Coulter (St. Pats CE) Brian Mullins (University College Dublin) Miriam Deasy (Cork IT) Carmel Keane (University College Dublin) Molly Dunne (Galway Mayo IT) Carmel Lynch (IT Carlow) Neasa Fahy O’Donnell (University of Limerick) Caroline Duggan (Trinity College) Niamh O’Callaghan (Dublin IT) Charlie Peile (Ulster University Norma Buckley (Cork IT) Christine O’Donovan (University College Cork) Paddy Gallagher (Letterkenny IT) Conor McCallion (Queen’s University Belfast) Paul Davis (Maynooth University) Corrie Adams (National College of Ireland) Paul Walsh (Griffith College) David McKee (Stranmillis CE) Robin Croke (Waterford IT) Declan Courell (St Angela’s CE) Ronan Keaskin (IT Blanchardstown) Derek Crilly (Dundalk IT) Ross Lappin (IT Sligo) Donal McNally (IT Carlow) Saoirse Bulfin (Limerick IT) Eimear Foley (IT Tralee) Suzy Macken (Marino CE) Jillian Davis (Belfast Metropolitan College) Tim O’Connor (ITT) Jane McGinty (South West RC) Una Redmond (DCU) Kathy Hynes (NUI Galway) Will Murphy (Mater Dei CE) Lee Rooney (Southern RC) Yvonne McGowan (DCU) Within each colleges champions were assisted by a number of paid and voluntary staff too numerous to mention. Thanks to all who assisted champions within each college. i Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Additional thanks to Rhoda Sohun (University of Limerick) who provided significant support to the analysis of the Self-Assessment Review and Dr Claire Gormley and Keefe Murphy (University College Dublin) who assisted with some statistical analysis. We acknowledge the support and contribution of Student Sport Ireland’s Research Management Group at every stage of the project: Mr Brian Mullins, University College Dublin (Chairperson) Mr Peter Smyth, Director of Research, Sport Ireland Dr Paul Donnelly, Policy, Planning and Research Manager, Sport Northern Ireland Mr John Kerrane, Student Sport Ireland Ms. Niamh O’Callaghan, Sports Officer, Dublin IT Mr Ciarán Ó hIarnáin, Development Manager, Student Sport Ireland Thank you to the postgraduate students who took a leadership role in the physical health data collection. These were: Joseph Murphy (Dublin City University), and undergraduates Orlaith Duff, Ciara McCormack and Andrew O’Brien, Jack Murray (IT Carlow), Grainne Hayes (University of Limerick), James McCabe and Edel Campbell (Ulster University). Finally thank you to the many students who gave of their time to participate in the student survey and to complete the physical health measures. The SASSI Research Team was: Lynda Robinson (South Eastern RC) Lynn Hegarty (Northern RC) Prof Marie Murphy (Ulster University) Maura Coulter (St. Pats CE) Dr Ciaran MacDonncha (University of Limerick) Miriam Deasy (Cork IT) Dr Catherine Woods (Dublin City University) Molly Dunne (Galway Mayo IT) Neasa Fahy O’Donnell (University of Limerick) Dr Niamh Murphy (Waterford IT) Niamh O’Callaghan (Dublin IT) Mr Neal Byrne, Research Assistant (Waterford IT) Norma Buckley (Cork IT) Mr Kyle Ferguson, Research Manager (Ulster University) Paddy Gallagher (Letterkenny IT) Prof Alan Nevill (Uni. Of Wolverhampton) Paul Davis (Maynooth University) Paul Walsh (Griffith College) Robin Croke (Waterford IT) This publication should be cited as: Ronan Keaskin (IT Blanchardstown) Ross Lappin (IT Sligo) Murphy, MH., Murphy, N., MacDonncha, C., Woods, C., Byrne, N., Ferguson, K., and Nevill, AM. (2015) Stu- Saoirse Bulfin (Limerick IT) Suzy Macken (Marino CE) dent Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI). Commissioned and published by Student Sport Ireland. Tim O’Connor (ITT) Una Redmond (DCU) Will Murphy (Mater Dei CE) Yvonne McGowan (DCU) ii Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) iii Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Contents Acknowledgements i Glossary 1 Forewords 3 Background 5 Executive Summary 6 Introduction 11 Phase 1: Self - Assessment Review (SAR) 13 1.1 SAR Introduction 13 1.2 SAR Purpose 13 1.3 SAR Sampling 13 1.4 SAR Results 13 1.4.2 Section 2 Institutional Staffing Structures Supporting Sport and Physical Activity 14 1.4.3 Section 3 Facilities Audit 15 1.4.4 Section 4 Investment in Sport and Physical Activity 16 1.4.5 Section 5 Student Sport and Physical Activity Participation Provision 19 1.4.6 Section 6 High Performance Athletic Support 22 1.4.7 Section 7 Institutional Ethos and Prioritisation for Sport and Physical Activity 24 1.5 SAR Conclusions 25 Phase 2 - Student Survey 29 2.1 Survey Introduction 29 2.2 Survey Sampling 29 2.3 Survey Results 30 2.3.1 Section 1. Response Rate, Characteristics of Irish Students and Sample Representativeness 31 2.3.2 Section 2. Physical Activity Levels of Students and Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines 31 2.3.3 Section 3. Sports Participation In and Outside College, the Effect of College on Transitions into and out of sport, and Determinants of Sport and Physical Activity 35 2.3.4 Section 4. Coaching, Volunteering and other Social Aspects of Sport in College 44 2.3.5 Section 5. Other health related characteristics of students 45 Phase Three - Physical Activity and Health Measures 48 3.1 Physical Activity and Health Measures Introduction 48 3.2 Physical Activity and Health Measures Results 48 3.2.1 Participant Characteristics 48 3.2.2 Physical Health Data 48 3.2.3 Physical Activity Data 49 3.2.4 Comparison between subjective self - report and objective accelerometer physical activity 50 3.3 Physical Activity and Health Measures Conclusions 50 4. Summary and Conclusions 53 5. Case Studies 58 6. References 62 iv Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) v Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Glossary 20 - MST The 20m shuttle run test or ‘bleep test’ is a field measure of estimated aerobic fitness Accelerometer A motion sensor, used to measure the acceleration of a moving or vibrating body BMI Body Mass Index= weight (kg)/height (m2) BP Blood Pressure College College or University of Institute of Technology or other Third Level Institution Comparable A full - time employee to whom a part - time employee compares himself/herself employee CSO Central Statistics Office HEA Higher Education Authority (Ireland) HEI Higher Education Colleges (Northern Ireland) HP High Performance HPA Habitual Physical Activity Institution Third Level College, Institute of Technology or University Institution An institutional stakeholder who acts as the key liaison within each institution. The ‘Champion’ champions facilitate access to data, internal stakeholders and students, and promote the research within the institution IPAQ International Physical Activity Questionnaire ISC Irish Sports Council mmHg Millimetre of Mercury Moderate The effort makes you warmer and your heart rate and breathing rate will be faster intensity than normal. You may also sweat a little, but will still be able to carry on a conversation. physical activity MVPA Moderate to Vigorous intensity physical activity NGBs National Governing Bodies of Sport Part-Time An employee whose normal hours of work are less than the normal hours of work of a Employee comparable employee 1 Student Activity and Sports Study Ireland (SASSI) Physical Any bodily movement resulting in energy expenditure greater than when at rest. PA in activity (PA) daily life results from occupational activities, sports activities, physical conditioning, organised exercise, active transport, or other activities SAR Self - Assessment Review SASSI Student Activity and Sport Study Ireland SI Sport Ireland SNI Sport Northern Ireland Sport An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team is involved in organised competition against another or others. Sport is governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. Training and preparation