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Research Interests

I began lecturing at SETU Carlow, primarily on the BSc Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, in 2003. I qualified with a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy from University of Manchester and an MSc Sports Physiotherapy from University College Dublin, and have extensive neuromusculoskeletal, manual therapy and advanced exercise prescription experience. I have supervised 4 students to completion at Masters level, in the areas of assessment, management and dysfunction in the hip and groin region. I am currently supervising one student at masters level, investigating the longitudinal effects of dry needling treatment on physical parameters at the hip, particularly strength and stability performance.

Current Research Students

MScThe longitudinal effects of dry needling of gluteus medius on hip strength and stabilityPresidents Research FellowshipAaron Byrne2107 ongoing

Past Research Students

AwardSubject AreaGrant/AidPostgraduate studentDates
MSc

The physical impairments associated with chronic groin pain

 

Self fundedRebecca O’Sullivan2008-2010
MScHip rotation : a comparison of normative values for multidirectional and sagittal plane sports and the relationship to femoral anteversionSelf fundedAilbhe O’Nolan2011-2013
MscPiriformis muscle length tests : a profile of reliability, normative values and location of stretchPresidents Research FellowshipShauna Jordan2011-2013
MScThe immediate effects of dry needling versus manual pressure release of myofascial trigger points on hip muscle length and strength in multidirectional athletesPresidents Research FellowshipMairead Kennedy2013-2105

Areas of interest as a supervisor include

  • Advanced exercise rehabilitation
  • Neuromusculoskeletal assessment
  • Movement dysfunction
  • Manual therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Hip and groin dysfunction

Papers

McCarthy Persson U, O’Sullivan R, Morrissey D & Wallace J (2016). The ability of athletes with long-standing groin pain to maintain a stable lumbopelvic position : A laboratory study. Physical Therapy in Sport. In Press

Conference Presentations

McCarthy Persson U, O’Sullivan R & Wallace J. Lumbopelvic stability in athletes with chronic groin pain. Presentation at 3rd International Movement Dysfunction Conference; Edinburgh, October 2009

Kennedy, M., Wallace, J., Dowling, M., McCarthy Persson, U. The Effects of Dry Needling Versus Manual Pressure Release of Myofascial Trigger Points of Hip Muscle Length and Strength. European College of Sport Science: Book of Abstracts of the 20th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science – 24th - 27th June 2015, Malmö – Sweden.

McCarthy Persson U, O’Sullivan R, Morrissey D & Wallace J. Lumbopelvic stability in athletes with chronic groin pain. Danish Sports Medicine Annual Conference, January 2016