The Irish Sport and Exercise Sciences Association (ISESA) continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sport and exercise sciences across Ireland. Established in 2023, ISESA serves as the representative body for professionals working in this field, operating as an all-island, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing research, practice and collaboration. Its membership spans a diverse community, including practitioners, academics, coaches, higher education institutions, national governing bodies of sport and policy makers.
As an associate member of the International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Sciences Practice, ISESA also connects Ireland’s sport and exercise sciences community to a wider global network. This positioning strengthens its influence and ensures that developments within Ireland are aligned with international best practice. Central to its mission is fostering knowledge exchange, promoting evidence-based approaches and creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration, such as the annual conference.
The ISESA Annual Conference is rapidly establishing itself as a key date in the Irish sport and exercise science calendar. The 2026 event, held at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone, marked the association’s second annual gathering and built on the success of its inaugural conference in Waterford the previous year. Welcoming over 330 delegates, the conference showcased the best of the Irish sport and exercise sciences community. Attendees included not only academics and researchers but also coaches, athletes, students, industry experts and representatives from national governing bodies and policy sectors.
Spanning two days, the conference delivered a packed programme of keynote lectures, panel discussions, symposia and interactive workshops. These sessions provided a platform for sharing the latest research findings, practical insights and emerging trends in sport and exercise sciences nationally and internationally. A major highlight of the event was the contribution of four internationally recognised keynote speakers: Dr Katie Liston, Professor Sam Robertson, Dr Josephine Perry and Dr Nick Tiller. Their talks addressed a range of critical and contemporary issues, including the challenges of health misinformation, psychological performance under pressure, the growing influence of artificial intelligence in sport, and the impact of online toxicity.
More than 80 postgraduate students and 30 undergraduate students presented their research work at the 2026 conference. The PESS Department was well represented across the organising committee and many PESS colleagues and students presenting, helped out and attended the 2026 edition of the ISESA conference. Beyond formal sessions, the conference emphasised community building and informal networking. Social events, including gatherings at Sean’s Bar and a Friday morning fun run, which offered delegates opportunities to connect in a relaxed environment, reinforcing the sense of a supportive and engaged professional network.
With the 2026 conference setting a high benchmark, attention now turns to the future. Plans are already underway for the 2027 event, which will take place at University College Dublin in May 2027. As ISESA continues to grow, its annual conference is becoming an essential forum for anyone involved in sport and exercise sciences in Ireland. By combining high-quality academic content with strong networking opportunities, it is helping to build a connected, innovative and forward-thinking community—one that is well positioned to support the continued evolution of sport and exercise sciences both nationally and internationally. I encourage you to consider presenting and attending at the 2027 conference and keep up to date on everything ISESA by logging onto www.isesa.ie and signing up for our newsletter and membership.
Prof Tom Comyns is a Professor of Strength and Conditioning/ Human Movement Science at the University of Limerick. Tom’s research is centered on rugby injury epidemiology and he is the Co-PI on the Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance project. Tom is the Inaugural Chair of the Irish Sport and Exercise Sciences Association and was instrumental in the establishment of the ISESA in 2023. Tom is also an ISESA Accredited Advanced Sport Scientist and previously competed for Ireland in Athletics at World and European Championships and at the Olympic Games.
Contact: Email Tom.comyns@ul.ie LinkedIn ResearchGate
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