Prof Michael Harrison

I have delivered modules on the Health and Exercise Science programme relevant to Exercise is Medicine including Clinical Exercise Physiology and Physical Activity Epidemiology

Professor Harrison is a member of the Biomedical Research Group, part of the Pharmaceutical Molecular and Biotechnology Research Centre at WIT.  He is also a member of the Centre for Health Behaviour Research.  Much of his research is undertaken in conjunction with both local hospitals, University Hospital Waterford and UPMC, Whitfield Waterford.  His PhD students work out of the PMBRC Biomedical Laboratory and Exercise Physiology laboratories.

Recent / ongoing research projects relate to

• Exercise to reduce senescent T cell burden
• Circulating angiogenic and senescent T cells in ageing and frailty
• Football co-operative:  An evaluation of pick-up football, implemented at scale, as a physical activity intervention for Irish men
• DEFRAIL: An exercise intervention for age-related frailty
• Exercise to combat the adverse cardiometabolic effects of ADT in prostate cancer
• An exercise intervention for cancer-related fatigue
• Men on the Move: the impact of a gender-specific physical activity intervention on the fitness and fatness profile of men in Ireland
• Resistance exercise and endothelial progenitor cells
• Cell-derived microparticles as biomarkers of carotid artery disease

External Roles

Chair of the group who are developing national physical activity guidelines for people with chronic conditions and for pregnant and postpartum women (ongoing)

Principal Investigator of SETU group that develooped the Competency, Qualification and Accreditation Framework for Long-Term Conditions Exercise Instructors to guide the education of exercise professionals who will work with people with long-term conditions, 2023 - 2024

Register of Exercise Professionals in Ireland (REPS Ireland) Council Chair, 2014 - 2024

European Register of Exercise Professionals Professional Standards Committee, 2018 - 2022

Ireland Active (Leisure, Health and Fitness Association) Board Member, 2014 - 2023

Exercise is Medicine National Centre (Ireland) Advisory Board, 2019 – present

Waterford Sports Partnership Board Member, 2013 – 2016

National Exercise Referral Framework Working Group, 2014 – 2015.

National GP Exercise Referral Steering Committee, 2001 - 2014

University Roles

Head of Department of Sport and Exercise Science, 2010 - 2015 and 2017 – present

Head of School (Dean) of Science and Computing, 2015 - 2017

Exercise and Health Studies Programme Leader, 2002 - 2010

School of Health Sciences Research Programme Board Chair, 2017 - 2024

School of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee Chair (ongoing)

SETU Athena Swan Committee, 2023 - present

WIT Research Ethics Committee, 2004 - 2021

HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) Operational Committee, 2016- 2021

Co-chair of the Teaching and Learning Working Group, part of the Technological University of the South East of Ireland project, 2020 – ongoing

Various WIT Academic Councils and Subcommittees

Under Review

Daly S., Egan T., Carroll P., Ormond G. Harrison M., McGrath A., Finnegan L., Richardson N., Krustrup P.  Capturing the wider benefits from football participation: An SROI of a Community Based Football Intervention.  

Murphy K, Denieffe S, Kehoe B, Hacking D, Fairman CM, Harrison M. Optimising aerobic and resistance emphasis in exercise trials in prostate cancer: A feasibility trial.  

Published Articles

Daly S., Carroll P., Harrison M., Egan T., Richardson N., McGrath A., Finnegan L., Krustrup P. More than a game of football:  A 1-year pilot investigation of the impact of participation in a community-based recreational football initiative for men in Ireland on health and cardiovascular risk.  International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health (In Press)

Hardcastle S, Sheehan P, Kehoe B, Harrison M, Cantwell M, Moyna N. Promoting Physical Activity to Cancer Survivors in Practice: Challenges and Solutions for Implementation. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Feb 28;17(5):850. doi: 10.3390/cancers17050850. PMID: 40075697; PMCID: PMC11898902.

Byrne T, Cooke J, McNeela E, Bambrick P, Murphy RP, Harrison M. Circulating Angiogenic and Senescent T Lymphocytes in Ageing and Frailty. J Frailty Aging. 2024;13(3):203-212. doi: 10.14283/jfa.2024.38. PMID: 39082763.

Murphy, K., Kehoe, B., Denieffe, S., McGrath, A., Hacking, D., Fairman, CM., Harrison, M. ‘Just because I have prostate cancer doesn’t mean that I can’t do things’ – men’s experiences of the acceptability of an exercise intervention for prostate cancer during treatment. BMC Cancer 24, 949 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12687-8

McGrath, A., Lambe, B., Matthews, E. McDonnell, K., Harrison M., Kehoe B.. Determinants of physical activity promotion in primary care from the patient perspective of people at risk of or living with chronic disease: a COM-B analysis. BMC Prim. Care 25, 190 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02440-2

Daly, S., Carroll, P., Egan, T., Harrison, M., McGrath, A., Finnegan, L., … Krustrup, P. (2024). The pre-adoption characteristics of men in a community-based social initiative: who wants a game of ball? International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 62(4), 310–324. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2023.2301700

Murphy K, Kehoe B, Denieffe S, Hacking D, Fairman CM, Harrison M. A comparison of aerobic- and resistance-emphasised exercise on cardiometabolic health and quality of life in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: Protocol for a feasibility trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Nov 14:107388. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107388. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37972755.

Murphy K, Denieffe S, Kehoe B, Hacking D, Fairman CM, Harrison M. Designing effective exercise intervention trials for prostate cancer cohorts: a qualitative study on experiences and views of exercise oncology researchers. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2023 Oct 30;15(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00756-7. PMID: 37904240; PMCID: PMC10614306.

Byrne T, Cooke J, Bambrick P, McNeela E, Harrison M. Circulating inflammatory biomarker responses in intervention trials in frail and sarcopenic older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Exp Gerontol. 2023 Jun 15;177:112199. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112199. Epub 2023 May 8. PMID: 37156445.

Carroll P., Daly S., Egan T., Harrison M., Richardson N., Finnegan L., McGrath A., Krustrup P.. Football Cooperative, a Community Based Physical Activity Social Initiative for Men: Protocol Paper for a Pragmatic Feasibility Trial. Journal of Physical Activity Research. Vol. 8, No. 1, 2023, pp 16-26. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jpar/8/1/4

Dunne A, Warrington G, McGoldrick A, Pugh J, Harrison M, Cullen S. Body Composition and Bone Health Status of Jockeys: Current Findings, Assessment Methods and Classification Criteria. Sports Med Open. 2022 Feb 14;8(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00414-1. PMID: 35157162; PMCID: PMC8844321.

Twomey L, Navasiolava N, Robin A, Bareille MP, Gauquelin-Koch G, Beck A, Larcher F, Meade-Murphy G, Sheridan S, Maguire PB, Harrison M, Degryse B, Moyna NM, Gharib C, Custaud MA, Murphy RP. A dry immersion model of microgravity modulates platelet phenotype, miRNA signature, and circulating plasma protein biomarker profile. Sci Rep. 2021 Nov 9;11(1):21906. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01335-x. PMID: 34753989; PMCID: PMC8578674.

Bambrick, P., Phelan, N., Grant, E., Byrne, T., Harrison, M., Mulcahy, R., & Cooke, J.  (2021). Diet and Exercise for FRAILty (DEFRAIL): Protocol for a study to examine the implementation and efficacy of a novel community-based group exercise and protein intervention, designed to reverse frailty in older adults. BMJ Open. Jun 15;11(6):e042408.doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042408

Dunne, A., Warrington, G., McGoldrick, A., Pugh, J., Harrison, M., O’Connor, S., O’Loughlin, G., & Cullen, S.J.  (2021). Physical and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Bone Health in Jockeys: A comprehensive update of the bone health status of Irish jockeys.  Int J Exerc Sci. 2021 Apr 1;14(6):324-337.  eCollection 2021.

Sheridan, S., McCarren, A., Gray, C., Murphy, R.P., Harrison, M., Wong, S.H.S., & Moyna, N.M. (2021). Maximal Aerobic Capacity and Oxygen Uptake Efficiency in Adolescent Males. J Exerc Sci Fit. Apr;19(2):75-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2020.11.001. Epub 2020 Nov 13.

Kelly, L., Harrison, M., Richardson, N., Carroll, P., Egan, T., Ormond, G., & Robertson, S. (2020). Economic evaluation of 'Men on the Move', a 'real world' community-based physical activity programme for men. Eur J Public Health. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa152

Sheehan, P., Denieffe, S., Murphy, N. M., & Harrison, M. (2020). Exercise is more effective than health education in reducing fatigue in fatigued cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer, 28(10), 4953-4962. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05328-w

Dunne, A., Warrington, G., McGoldrick, A., Pugh, J., Harrison, M., O'Connor, S., O'Loughlin, G., & Cullen, S.J. (2020). Estimation of body fat percentage in jockeys: Implications for a weight category sport.  Int J Exerc Sci, 13(4):511-525. May 1 2020 eCollection

O'Carroll, L., Wardrop, B., Murphy, R. P., Ross, M. D., & Harrison, M. (2019). Circulating angiogenic cell response to sprint interval and continuous exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol, 119(3), 743-752. doi:10.1007/s00421-018-04065-7 

Kelly, L., Harrison, M., Richardson, N., Carroll, P., Robertson, S., Keohane, A., & Donohoe, A. (2019). The impact of a gender-specific physical activity intervention on the fitness and fatness profile of men in Ireland. Eur J Public Health, 29(6), 1154-1160. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckz100

Kelly, L., Harrison, M., Richardson, N., Carroll, P., Robertson, S., Keohane, A., & Donohoe, A. (2019). Reaching beyond the 'worried well': pre-adoption characteristics of participants in 'Men on the Move', a community-based physical activity programme. J Public Health (Oxf), 41(2), e192-e202. doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdy134 Q2-Q3

McCormack, U.M., Curião, T., MetzlerZebeli, B.U., Magowan, E., Berry, D.P., Reyer, H., Prieto, M.L., Buzoianu, S.G., Harrison, M., Rebeiz, N., Crispie, F., Cotter, P.D., O’Sullivan, O., Gardiner, G.E., & Lawlor, P.G. (2019). Porcine feed efficiency-associated intestinal microbiota and physiological traits: finding consistent cross-locational biomarkers for residual feed intake. mSystems 4: e00324-18. https://doi.org/10 .1128/mSystems.00324-18.

Robertson, S., Carroll, P., Donohoe, A., Richardson, N., Keohane, A., Kelly, L. & Harrison, M. (2018).  ‘The environment was like they were in the pub but with no alcohol’ - A process evaluation of engagement and sustainability in Men on the Move, an Irish community-based physical activity intervention. International Journal of Men's Social & Community Health, 1(1).

Carroll, P., Harrison, M., Richardson, N., Robertson, S., Keohane, A., Kelly, L., et al. (2018). Evaluation of a gender-sensitive physical activity programme for inactive men in Ireland: protocol paper for a pragmatic controlled trial. J Phys Act Res. 3(1), 20-27.

Wekesa A, Doyle LM, Fitzmaurice D, O’Donovan O, Phelan JP, Ross MD, Cross KS, Harrison M.  Influence of a low carbohydrate diet on endothelial microparticles in overweight women.  Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016;  May 41(5) 522-527

Wekesa A, Harrison M, Watson RW.   Physical activity and its mechanistic effects on prostate cancer.  Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2015, 18(3), 197-207

Antony Wekesa, Simon Cross, Joseph Dowdall, John Phelan, Orla O’Donovan, Marianne Doyle, Odharnaith O’Brien, Lorraine Byrne, Rob Landers, Michael Harrison.  Predicting carotid artery disease and plaque stability from cell-derived microparticles.  Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg., 2014 Nov;48(5):489-95.

Lacroix R, Judicone C, Mooberry M, Boucekine M, Key NS, Dignat-George F; The ISTH SSC Workshop. Standardization of pre-analytical variables in plasma microparticle determination: results of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis SSC Collaborative workshop.  J Thromb Haemost. 2013 

Mark D Ross, Antony L Wekesa, John P Phelan, Michael Harrison.  Resistance exercise increases endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenic factors.  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2014, 46(1) 16-23

Aoife Lane, Michael Harrison, Niamh Murphy.  Sedentary behaviour increases risk of overweight and obesity in high and low active 9 year old children.  Journal of Physical Activity and Health 2013

Michael Harrison, Niall Moyna, Theodore Zderic, Donal O'Gorman, Noel McCaffrey, Brian Carson, Marc Hamilton.  Lipoprotein particles and skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase activity following acute exercise.  Lipids in Health and Disease 2012, 11:64

Mark L. Kirby, Stephen Beatty, Jim Stack, Michael Harrison, Isabelle Greene, Sean McBrinn, Paula Carroll, John M. Nolan.  Changes in macular pigment optical density and serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in response to weight loss.  Br J Nutr. 2010 Dec 9:1-11

Lacroix R, Robert S, Poncelet P, Kasthuri RS, Key NS, Dignat-George F; on behalf of the ISTH SSC Workshop.  Standardization of platelet-derived microparticle enumeration by flow cytometry using calibrated beads: results of ISTH SSC collaborative workshop.  J Thromb Haemost. 2010 (11) 2571-74

Owen J. MacEneaney, Michael Harrison, Donal J. O’Gorman, Elena V. Pankratieva, Paul L. O’Connor and Niall M. Moyna.  Effect of prior exercise on postprandial lipemia and markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in normal weight and overweight adolescent boys.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009. 106(5):721-9.

Harrison M, Murphy R, McCaffrey N, O’Connor P, Moyna NM.  The endothelial microparticle response to a high fat meal is not attenuated by prior exercise.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009, 106(4):555-62. 

Harrison M, O’Gorman D, McCaffrey N, Hamilton M, Zderic T, Carson B, Moyna NM.  Influence of acute exercise with and without carbohydrate replacement on postprandial lipid metabolism.  J Appl Physiol. 2009 Mar;106(3):943-9. 

Harrison M, Burns C, McGuinness M, Heslin J, Murphy NM.  Influence of a health education intervention on physical activity and screen inactivity in Irish primary school children: Switch Off – Get Active.  J Sci Med Sport 9(5) 388-94.

John Nolan, Orla O’ Donovan, Heather Kavanagh, Michael Harrison, Annalouise Muldoon, Sarah McNaughton, John Mellerio, Stephen Beatty. 2004. Macular Pigment and Percentage Body Fat. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci .  45(11), 3940-50

Book Chapters

Twomey, L., Wallace, R.G., Cummins, P.M., Degryse, B., Sheridan, S., Harrison, M., Moyna, N.M., Meade-Murphy, G., Navasiolava, N., Custaud, M.A., & Murphy, R.P. (2018).  Platelets- From Formation to Function. In F. Lasakosvitsch Castanho & and S. Dos Anjos Garnes (Ed.). Homeostasis - An Integrated Vision. InTechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.80924. ISBN: 978-953-51-6117-2

Twomey, L., Wallace, R.G., Mangone, M,. Degryse, B., Sheridan, S., Harrison, M., Moyna, N.M., Meade-Murphy, G., Navasiolava, N., Custaud, M.A., & Murphy, R.P. (2018).  Platelets- Functional Biomarkers of Epigenetic Drift.  In F. Lasakosvitsch Castanho & and S. Dos Anjos Garnes (Ed.). Homeostasis - An Integrated Vision.  InTechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.83447. ISBN: 978-953-51-6117-2

Published Reports

Hardcastle, S.J., Sheehan, P., Harrison, M., Kehoe, B., McCaffrey, N., Cantwell, M., Moyna, N.M. 2023. A Scoping Review of Physical Activity and Exercise Initiatives for Cancer Patients in Ireland. Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

Denieffe, Matthews, Banville, Mulhare, Harrison, O'Riordan, Egan, & Cowman. (2022). Evaluation of 'The Exercise Effect': A pilot project integrating an exercise practitioner into outpatient mental health services in Ireland. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5971792

Carroll, P., Richardson, N., Harrison, M., Robertson, S., Keohane, A., Kelly, L., & Donohue, A. (2018).  Men on the Move: A Community Based Physical Activity Programme for Adult Men in Ireland.  Evaluation Report.  Dublin: Health Service Executive. ISBN: 978-1-78602-091-8.

Woods, C.B., McCaffrey, N., Furlong, B., Fitzsimons D'Arcy, L., Murphy M.H., Harrison, M., Glynn, L., O'Riordan, J., O'Neill, B., Jennings, S., & Peppard, C. (2016).  The National Exercise Referral Framework. Health and Wellbeing Division, Health Service Executive. Dublin. Ireland.

Burns, C., Harrison, M., Heslin, J., & McGuinness, M.  Switch-Off Get Active – An evaluation of a school-based intervention to decrease sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity in primary school children in the South Eastern Health Board region.  July 2004.  South Eastern Health Board.