dcu students cycle in aid of diabetes
6 January 2004

Jennifer Lynch, Hannah McCormack, Donal O'Gorman and Lauren Sinclair

A group of 30-40 students on the DCU Sports Science and Health degree will be putting theory into practice when they set off on a 160 mile run/cycle to Galway in February. They hope to raise more than 5,000 Euros towards the cost of a digital retinal camera for use in the diabetes clinic in the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown.

The university collaborates with the clinic in Blanchardstown in a joint research project into diabetes which focuses on the prevention and early detection of the disease, which is known to cause deterioration of the retina and ultimately blindness. Clinicians, however, place greater emphasis on prevention and images from this digital camera will help them to detect any deterioration much more accurately and earlier in the disease progression.

"The camera itself costs 90,000 Euros, but any contribution towards the costs of such a vital piece of diagnostic equipment would be extremely welcome", said Donal O'Gorman, lecturer in the Centre for Sports Science and Health. "The students are extremely enthusiastic about this project and will be looking for sponsorship from individuals or companies who have an interest in this disease which is known to affect an increasing number of people".

As part of their studies, the students on the sports science and health programme look at all issues of well-being, which includes weight, diet and the benefits of a physically active lifestyle, all of which enhance the quality of life and prevent the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The high practical component of the course gives the students the skills to carry out fitness testing on each other, making them much better placed to apply these skills to others in turn.

"This event is beneficial in three ways", said Donal. "The students can incorporate the awareness of health issues with the theory and practice of their undergraduate programme while raising money for a very worthy cause."