Prof Moyna tells Clondalkin students to take ownership of their health and wellbeing

By Maurice Garvey

A WORRYING gender gap when it comes to fitness levels between boys and girls in secondary school can be addressed through simple exercises, according to Professor Niall Moyna.

Prof Moyna, Head of the School of Health and Human Performance and a member of the Centre for Preventive Medicine in DCU, delivered a keynote speech to students at the all-girls school Coláiste Bride, Clondalkin, as part of Wellbeing Week.

He is part of a group of researchers around the world looking at the long-term effects of increased levels in obesity among children.

Prof Moyna oversaw research carried out last year for the Irish Life Health Schools Fitness Challenge, which revealed boys in secondary schools to be 42 per cent fitter than girls.

More than 120,000 students participated in the research since 2012, which showed the fitness gap widens as kids get older.
The second stage in Moyna’s research will, he believes, show that exercise can reverse this trend.

“We should move away from the rigidity of the current PE curriculum to short periods of physical activity that encourage senior-cycle students, particularly girls, to stay active,” he said.

During the talk in Clondalkin, Prof Moyna also stressed the importance of a good sleep for teenagers, and used hard-hitting images to show the dangers of smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise.

He also highlighted how exercise can improve academic ability and encouraged girls not to limit their goals.

“Don’t put limits on yourselves, girls – in life you can do anything – take ownership of your health and wellbeing,” he said.

Prof Moyna has published over 150 research papers in international peer reviewed journals and presented his work at international conferences.

In recent years, he has managed the DCU senior football team to four Sigerson Cups, two Ryan Cups, two O’Byrne Cups, and he was also a part of the Dublin senior football backroom team that helped win the 2011 All-Ireland trophy.