Dr. Gráinne Hayes is a leading Irish academic and researcher in the fields of exercise physiology, physical activity, and public health. Based at the University of Limerick, she is widely recognized for her work on sedentary behaviour, cardiometabolic health, and habitual activity patterns in young people. Through her research, teaching, and leadership roles, Gráinne Hayes is shaping how we understand the relationship between daily movement and long-term health outcomes.
With a career rooted in evidence-based science and real-world application, Dr. Hayes has established herself as a passionate advocate for healthier lifestyles, improved physical education, and data-driven policy development.
Early Life and Education
Gráinne Hayes‘ academic journey began in Ireland, where she developed a strong interest in sport science and health education. Her educational path laid a strong foundation for the career she would eventually pursue.
- Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Limerick (2013)
This degree gave her a comprehensive understanding of how human movement, exercise, and physical activity influence performance and health. - PhD in Physical Activity and Health, University of Limerick (2021)
Her doctoral research focused on the measurement of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and cardiometabolic health markers in children, adolescents, and young adults. Her work explored how behavioural patterns in youth influence long-term health risks, using both objective and self-report data collection methods.
During her PhD, she also developed specialized expertise in data analytics, accelerometry, and the challenges of measuring movement in free-living environments — settings where people go about their everyday routines.
Career Journey
Dr. Gráinne Hayes has built a career that spans academia, research, teaching, and public health advocacy. Her professional growth reflects a balance between scholarly rigour and real-world impact.
Early Career
- Teaching Assistant & Research Assistant – University of Limerick
These early roles allowed her to contribute to ongoing research projects and support student learning while developing her own academic capabilities. - Project Manager – University of Limerick
In this capacity, she coordinated research efforts, managed project timelines, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams in the fields of health promotion, physical activity, and education.
Academic Positions
- Assistant Lecturer, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
Dr. Gráinne Hayes expanded her teaching and academic outreach while engaging in applied research and curriculum development in Sport, Exercise, and Wellbeing. - Assistant Professor in Exercise Physiology, University of Limerick
Currently, Dr. Hayes is a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at UL. Here, she lectures on modules related to exercise science, health behaviour change, and measurement in physical activity. She also supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research students.
Research Focus and Contributions
- 1. Habitual Physical Activity in Free-Living Settings
A major focus of Dr. Gráinne Hayes’ work is understanding how people move (or don’t move) throughout the day in their normal environments. Using wearable devices, accelerometers, and advanced data analytics, she captures detailed snapshots of daily activity patterns, such as:
- Light physical activity
- Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
- Sedentary behaviour
- Sleep duration and quality
This type of research is critical for designing effective interventions and public health policies that aim to reduce sedentary time and encourage movement throughout the day.
- 2. Cardiometabolic Health in Youth
Dr. Hayes is deeply committed to improving health outcomes for children, teenagers, and young adults. Her PhD research examined how sedentary behaviour, screen time, and low physical activity levels correlate with risk factors such as:
- High blood pressure
- Body fat percentage
- Insulin resistance
- Inflammatory markers
Her findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that youth activity patterns have long-lasting effects on adult health outcomes.
- 3. Physical Activity Measurement and Validation
Accurately measuring physical activity is notoriously difficult. Dr. Hayes investigates how tools like accelerometers, step counters, and fitness trackers perform in real-world settings. She also explores data processing techniques and validation protocols to ensure research findings are trustworthy and replicable.
This work is important for both clinical research and community health assessments.
- 4. Behaviour Change and Interventions
Understanding health behaviours is one thing — changing them is another. Dr. Hayes explores the psychological and environmental factors that influence:
- Why people are sedentary
- What motivates them to move
- How interventions can be designed to sustain long-term change
She contributes to multidisciplinary research teams that develop and test evidence-based programmes aimed at schools, workplaces, and communities.
Teaching & Educational Leadership
Dr. Hayes is not only a researcher but also a highly respected educator. She currently teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University of Limerick, focusing on areas like:
- Exercise physiology
- Measurement and evaluation in physical activity research
- Public health and wellbeing
- Lifestyle behaviour change
Programme Director – MSc in Sport Performance
She also serves as the Programme Director for the MSc in Sport Performance. In this role, she oversees curriculum development, student mentorship, and industry engagement, ensuring that graduates are equipped to work in:
- Elite sports performance
- Health and wellbeing coaching
- Research and development
- Fitness and rehabilitation sectors
Collaborations and Affiliations
Dr. Hayes is an active member of several research clusters and institutes:
- Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAfHRC)
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick
- Public Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster
She frequently collaborates with academics, clinicians, educators, and policymakers across Ireland and internationally. Her work supports both the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — especially Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being — and national strategies like Ireland’s National Physical Activity Plan.
Publications and Academic Output
Dr. Hayes has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals in the fields of:
- Exercise Science
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioural Medicine
Her research has been cited by policy reports and used to inform local and national health initiatives.
(You can find her publication list on)
Impact and Legacy
Dr. Gráinne Hayes’ impact extends beyond academia. Her work is helping to:
- Inform physical activity guidelines in Ireland and abroad
- Improve the accuracy of wearable health technology
- Support schools and communities with tailored activity interventions
- Educate the next generation of health scientists and fitness professionals
- Reduce health disparities by targeting youth and underserved populations
She has also played an important role in translating research into action — bridging the gap between laboratory findings and practical, real-world application.
Future Directions
As technology evolves and health challenges grow more complex, Dr. Hayes’ work will remain highly relevant. Key areas of future research and development include:
- Integrating machine learning into physical activity analytics
- Designing personalised interventions using wearable data
- Exploring the intersection of mental health and physical activity
- Contributing to global efforts in childhood obesity prevention
With her strong foundation in science, practical approach, and commitment to societal wellbeing, Dr. Gráinne Hayes is poised to continue making a lasting impact in public health, education, and research.
Conclusion
Dr. Gráinne Hayes is one of Ireland’s most promising health researchers in the fields of exercise physiology, physical activity measurement, and cardiometabolic health. Through her roles at the University of Limerick, she combines research excellence with teaching, leadership, and public engagement.
Her career stands as a powerful example of how science can be used to make meaningful, measurable improvements in people’s lives. Whether through groundbreaking studies, teaching future professionals, or shaping policy, Dr. Hayes’ contributions are helping to build a healthier, more active society — one step at a time.
