2013 Press Releases
Keeping it moving at UCC
A first of its kind interdisciplinary conference on fundamental movement skill development across the lifespan will be held on April 19 and 20 at the Mardkye Arena, UCC.
The conference will feature renowned international speakers in the area. Two books on the topic of autism and physical activity will also be launched by Olympic athlete Olive Loughnane at the conference following World Autism Awareness Day, which took place on April 2. Minister for Health James Reilly will also address the conference to reinforce the importance of developing and maintaining movement skill development across the lifespan from a health perspective. The conference will be of particular interest to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, coaches, researchers and policy makers in the fields of health related and sports related physical activity.
Fundamental movement skills are those skills, such as running, jumping, catching, throwing and balancing, that provide the building blocks for the development of sport specific skills and further provide the basis for developing the ability to engage in and sustain quality physical activity. Lack or delay in development of these basic skills of movement can contribute to children and adults developing complications of inactivity, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
“Learning to move, moving to learn: Exploring fundamental movement skill development across the lifespan', which is organised by Sports Studies and Physical Education at UCC, and Health Action Zone (HSE), brings together expertise in the combined fields of Education, Health, Disability and Sport. The conference will also have a practical component where participants will have the opportunity to engage in active workshops addressing fundamental movement skill development for different ages, abilities and settings over the two days.
The keynote addresses will be given by Professor David Sugden of The University of Leeds, internationally renowned for his co-development of the movement assessment tool Movement ABC, Professor Caroline Bond, co-author of the Manchester Motor Scale of Assessment and Professor Phil Vickerman, author and researcher in the fields of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in areas of movement. In addition, workshops will be facilitated by Olympic athlete Catherina McKiernan and other experts in the field.
On the first evening of the conference two books will be launched, both crafted by conference organiser Dr Susan Crawford of Sports Studies and Physical Education at UCC.
1. Autism and Physical Activity: What every parent needs to know
2. Adapted Physical Activity Interventions for Children and Adults with Autism
Both publications aim to promote quality physical activity and fundamental movement skill development for children and adults with autism. These books were sponsored by Health Action Zone (HSE) and will be freely available at the launch and online thereafter.
The conference will also facilitate the establishment of a Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) Hub which will establish a forum for exploring together research, policy and practice from national and international perspectives. This initiative was recently awarded Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS) funding (2013 call). In line with its objective of providing a supportive framework for collaborative research and professional activities in teacher education in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, SCoTENS provides seed funding for projects such as research, conferences and exchanges which further this objective.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr Susan Crawford commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to promote and develop the area of fundamental movement skill development from preschool to old age including a range of abilities and disabilities with key experts and practitioners in the field. The conference is interdisciplinary and boasts huge hands on component, so there will be lots of opportunity for delegates to develop and explore new skills. Being a part of the FMS Hub will provide individuals with a clear base to further explore FMS from research, policy and practice perspectives. As fundamental movement skill delay is often a feature of autism, this is a particularly appropriate forum for launching the publications on physical activity and autism for both parents and practitioners”.
Further details on the conference as well as booking information is available at: http://conferencing.ucc.ie/conference/conference.php?id=175