A lecturer and researcher at South East Technological University (SETU) has won the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (IJSNEM) ‘Paper of the Year 2025’.
Dr Chris Nulty, SETU lecturer in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences collaborated with Dr Rob Erskine, Liverpool John Moores University on their paper, entitled “Collagen Supplementation Augments Strength Training-Induced Gains in Tendon Size and Rate of Force Development in Elite Female Master Field Hockey Athletes”.
Collagen and Athletic Performance
The study examined whether adding a collagen supplement to a structured strength training programme improves tendon growth and explosive force production more than strength training alone in elite female Master field hockey players.
Significance of the Findings
Dr Nulty, commenting on the accolade, said, “We investigated whether ingesting 30 g of hydrolysed collagen before resistance training could enhance tendon adaptation and explosive performance in elite international female Master hockey players. While both the placebo and collagen groups improved maximal strength and muscle size, the collagen group showed greater increases in patellar tendon size, which was accompanied by a larger improvement in explosive force.
He continued, “These findings are important for female athletes, who have historically been underrepresented in research, particularly those involved in high-intensity sports where speed and agility are critical.”
Research Excellence at SETU
Dr Nulty’s contribution to this paper highlights the meaningful research being undertaken at SETU, contributing to impactful solutions to societal issues. SETU’s Department of Health and Sport Sciences has a strong and active research profile, where the research being undertaken in areas such as plyometric training, strength-training and general wellbeing has received national and international recognition for applications in real-life sports science.
Recognising Outstanding Work
Dr Sharon Kinsella, Head of Department of Health and Sport Sciences at SETU congratulated Dr Nulty on his contribution to the award-winning paper. She welcomed the news, by saying, “Thank you to the IJSNEM for recognising the significant contribution made by Chris. His paper exemplifies the excellent research being undertaken by our department, and I look forward to the implementation of this research into strength training programmes."
