Research Interests
PhD Sport and Exercise Physiology 2008-2012
Title: "The effects of acute and chronic sodium bicarbonate supplementation on high intensity intermittent performance, recovery and subsequent performance in rugby union players."
Four years funding awarded by Irish Research Council (IRCSET) Research Scholarship, completed in the School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University.
Awarded Darren Sutherland Memorial Award from Dublin City University in 2012.
1st Class Hons. BSc Degree in Sports Science and Health 2003-2007
Awarded School of Health and Human Performance Research Excellence Award from Dublin City University and Swords Medical at graduation ceremony 2007.
Final year dissertation entitled: "The effects of various recovery modalities including ice bath immersion on recovery and subsequent exercise performance in rugby union players".
Presented in oral session at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Conference, Seattle 2009 and also at the Annual International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Limerick 2009.
Engagement and Collaboration
Managing Director and Lead Exercise Physiologist - Strive Sport Science - October 2012-September 2016
Having identified a niche in the market for commercial sport science support for the amateur athlete, I founded Strive Sport Science in 2012. In 2013, ahead of over 1500 other entrepreneurs, Strive was awarded an Enterprise Ireland Entrepreneur Development Scholarship, a 6 month intensive, funded business programme. Since 2012, Strive has amassed a fast-growing athlete client base of both teams and individuals participating in a wide range of sports at varying levels from amateur to elite. In addition to physiological assessment, Strive also conducted commercial research projects for sports product companies. This involved consultation with product designers, coaches and athletes, research study design, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation and report writing. Through this work I collaborated and was commissioned to work with the Olympic Council of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, several commercial companies including Statsports and Elivar Sports Drinks among others.
I have also established links with the Irish Rugby Football Union and am involved in a research project with them.
I am also one of two Level 3 International Society for Anthropometry and Kinathrompoemtry (ISAK) qualified anthropometrists in Ireland and provided educational training in this area around Ireland.
Current Research Students
- Danielle Callanan - analysis of GPS data in elite female rugby union.
- Mary Curristin - the effect of various recovery drinks including goats milk on recovery from muscle damaging exercise in team sport athletes.
Areas of Interest as a Supervisor Include
- Strength and conditioning
- Nutrition
- Exercise physiology
- Recovery modalities
- Applied sport science
Conference Proceedings and Papers
Spratt-O'Shea, N. and Fitzpatrick, P.A. (2017). Flipping the classroom using pre-practical videos. Proceedings of EdTech June 2017, Institute of Technology Sligo.
Curristin, M., Fitzpatrick, P., Rankin, P. (2017). The effect of goats milk versus an energy matched carbohydrate drink on recovery from repeated sprinting and jumping. Proceedings of International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference, 19-21st December 2017, Newcastle.
Fitzpatrick, P.; Hamilton, T.; Cullen, SJ.; May, G.; Warrington, G. (2011). The Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Intermittent Sprint Activity, Recovery and Subsequent Repeat Sprint Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 43(5).
May, G., Fitzpatrick, P., Cullen, SJ., Kelly, L., O'Hagan, A., Warrington, G. (2011). An Analysis of the Impact of Acute Sleep Deprivation on Repeat Cycling Time Trial Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 43(5).
Warrington, G.; Dolan, E.; McGoldrick, A.; May, G.; Fitzpatrick, P.; Healy, A. (2010). An Analysis of the Effects of Acute Weight Loss on Physiological Function in Elite Jockeys. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 42(5).
May, G.; Dolan, E.; Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. (2010). Physiological, Haematological and Performance Characteristics of Ultra-endurance Cyclists Competing in the Inaugural Race Around Ireland. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 42(5).
Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. (2009). The Effects of Various Recovery Strategies including Ice Bath Immersion on Recovery from Exercise and Subsequent Performance. In: Proceedings of the 27th Annual International Society of Biomechanics in Sports Conference, Limerick, Ireland, August 2009.
Fitzpatrick, P.; Dolan, E.; May, G.; Warrington, G. (2009). The Effects of Various Recovery Strategies on Recovery from Exercise and Subsequent Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 41(5).
Dolan, E.; McGoldrick, A.; McCaffrey, N.; O'Connor, P.; May, G.; Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. (2009). Comparison Between Skinfolds And Dexa For Determination Of Body Composition In Weight Category Athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 41(5).
Warrington, G.; Dolan, E.; McGoldrick, A.; May, G.; Fitzpatrick, P. (2009). Acute Weight Loss Patterns By Professional Horse Racing Jockeys In Preparation For Racing. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 41(5).
May, G.; Dolan, E.; Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. (2009). A Comparison Of The Physiological Demands Of Two Commercially Available Cycle Ergometers In Trained Cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 41(5).
Peer review articles in review
Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. The Effects of Various Recovery Strategies on Recovery from Exercise and Subsequent Performance. In review: Journal of Sport Sciences.
Fitzpatrick, P.; Warrington, G. The Effects of Acute versus Chronic Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on High-Intensity Intermittent Sprint Performance. In review: Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism.