Sarahjane Belton

Biographic Data

ID6685288
NAMESarahjane Belton
GIVEN NAMESSarahjane
FAMILY NAMEBelton
SIGNATUREBELTON S
AFFILIATIONSDublin City University
ORCID0000-0001-9672-6276
VERIFIEDYes
TOTAL WORKS36
TOTAL CITATIONS9
WORKS AS AUTHOR36
WORKS AS EDITOR0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR2010
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR2026
H-INDEX2

  • Feasibility of LifeLab Dublin

    Open AccessCaera L Grady, Linda Burke et al.ARTICLEHealth Promotion International2026

    High health literacy (HL) is associated with improved health behaviours and outcomes. Schools are an ideal environment to improve adolescents’ HL levels. This study assessed the feasibility of LifeLab Dublin, a co-designed HL intervention, for socioeconomically disadvantaged schools. Students (N = 356) and teachers (N = 15) from four Dublin schools participated in this study. A pre–post follow-up, single-arm feasibility, mixed methods study desig…

  • Health in our school

    Open AccessLinda Burke, Nathan Gavigan et al.ARTICLEHealth Education2026

    Purpose Photovoice is a group analysis method that falls into the category of participatory action research. Photovoice has been used for health education research with young people across the world. As part of a wider study, the aim of this paper was to use the photovoice methodology to gain an insight into the views of students in Ireland taking part in the health literacy intervention LifeLab on health in their school. Design/methodology/appro…

  • ‘I Want Everyone to Have It, and Everyone to Be on It’

    Open AccessSarahjane Belton, Hannah Go et al.ARTICLEHealth Expectations2026

    BACKGROUND: An understanding of the nature of long Covid (LC) is evolving, with recent evidence highlighting the role of increased sympathetic activation and decreased parasympathetic response. Building upon this emerging science, the 'Transforming Long COVID' (TLC) programme was developed to support participants in their recovery by (i) introducing education on the neuroscience underpinning persistent symptoms (with a particular focus on the aut…

  • Examining the construct validity of the FMS 2 assessment tool

    Open AccessNathan Gavigan, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2026References: 2

    Although there is a plethora of tools available to assess children's movement competence (MC), the literature suggests that many have significant limitations (e.g. not practical for use in ‘real-world’ settings). The FMS 2 assessment tool has recently emerged as a valid and feasible alternative to existing measures. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity of the FMS 2 among 10- to 13-year-old children in primary school in Irel…

  • Perceptions of lifelong physical activity and the physical literacy journey

    Open AccessWesley O’brien, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2026

    In recent years, the physical literacy (PL) journeys of children and young people (CYP) have become increasingly relevant to physical activity (PA), physical education (PE) and sport settings. While research has documented understanding of PL among specific stakeholders, such as physical educators and sports coaches, no such research exists regarding the voices of CYP across the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland and Ireland). As such, expanding…

  • ‘The Second Arrow’

    Open AccessSarahjane Belton, Kate SheridanARTICLEHealth Expectations2025

    INTRODUCTION: Long COVID is a complex multisystem illness with multiple relapsing-remitting symptoms, which can vary in severity and impact people's daily lives. This study utilises the first author's experience of falling ill with and recovering from long COVID to investigate the lived experience of the illness. Learnings that could positively influence how people with long COVID, and health professionals, approach rehabilitation and recovery fr…

  • The effect of game-based approaches on decision-making, knowledge, and motor skill

    Open AccessMika Manninen, Eric Magrum et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2025

    This study aimed to compare the effect between game-based approaches (GBAs) and traditional skill approaches on decision-making, knowledge and motor skill in physical education students and athletes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies available before October 2023 was conducted. The initial search yielded 8431 articles, with 28 articles ( n = 1600) meeting the inclusion criteria. Studies were analyzed using three-level …

  • Remote physical activity intervention to promote physical activity and health in adolescent girls (the HERizon project)

    Open AccessEmma S Cowley, Paula M Watson et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2024

    Results suggest perceived competence increased across all intervention arms, while the PA programme group enhanced autonomous motivation in the short term. Intervention arms with behaviour change support appear most promising in improving muscular endurance. However, a larger scale trial is needed for a better understanding of between-group differences and the impact of intervention arms on MVPA and fitness, given the small sample size and short-…

  • PE at Home

    Open AccessMaura Coulter, Úna Britton et al.ARTICLEPhysical Education and Sport…2023

    Background \nThe world experienced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in school closures across the globe in early 2020. Schools pivoted to remote delivery of learning using a variety of online and offline resources. PE is vital in providing motor development opportunities for children and it is essential to ensure that the provision of quality PE experiences is continued, even in the context of a pandemic. It was in this cont…

  • Moving Well-Being Well

    Nathan Gavigan, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEPhysical Education and Sport…2023

    Background Many Irish children are failing to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Research shows that children are failing to develop the necessary physical literacy skills to reverse this trend. Early childhood has been identified as a critical period to intervene, with the school environment identified as a key environment to do so. Qualitative research is increasingly included in intervention studies to aid the development o…

  • Motor competence assessment in physical education – convergent validity between fundamental movement skills and functional movement assessments in adolescence

    Wesley O’brien, Conor Philpott et al.ARTICLEPhysical Education and Sport…2023

    Background The meaningful assessment of motor competence is well positioned for school-based curricular emphasis, through the integration of motor skills and movement patterns in both primary, and second level school physical education. Aligned with the growing interest in holistic motor competence assessment in physical education, the aim of this study was to assess the convergent validity between fundamental movement skills and functional movem…

  • Current Practices, Willingness and Perceived Ability to Implement an Injury Prevention Exercise Program Among Post‐Primary Physical Education Teachers

    Open AccessFrank Devereux, Enda Whyte et al.ARTICLEJournal of School Health2023

    BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are common in adolescents, and recently schools have been suggested as an opportune location for injury prevention strategies. This study aimed to identify the current practices and perceptions of post-primary PE teachers in Ireland on injury prevention exercise programs (IPEP), which are key to informing potential implementation strategies. METHODS: Post-primary PE teachers (n = 287) completed an online anony…

  • The structural and convergent validity of the FMS 2 assessment tool among 8- to 12-year-old children

    Open AccessNathan Gavigan, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2023Cited by: 1

    Although there is a plethora of tools available to assess children's movement competence (MC), the literature suggests that many have significant limitations (e.g. not being practical for use in many ‘real-world’ settings). The FMS 2 assessment tool has recently been developed as a targeted solution to many of the existing barriers preventing practitioners from utilising MC assessments. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural and …

  • Teacher experiences implementing the ‘Active School Flag’ initiative to support physically active school communities in Ireland

    Jamie McGann, Sarah Meegan et al.ARTICLEIrish Educational Studies2022

    In order for initiatives targeting physical activity in the school community to be effectively implemented, they need to ‘make sense’ from the school’s perspective. That is, teachers need to see their value and feel confident that implementation will result in change. Teachers also need to feel competent in doing what’s required of them to implement an initiative as intended. This study takes a mixed methods research approach (questionnaire and f…

  • LifeLab

    Open AccessCraig W Smith, Hannah Go et al.ARTICLEChildren2022

    Low socioeconomic populations, when compared to more affluent groups, are at greater risk of initiating risky behaviours and consequently developing health complications. Health literacy has been identified as a possible means to improve and sustain positive health behaviours, with adolescence being a time point when such behaviours can be embedded. To develop a meaningful health intervention, it has been recommended that relevant stakeholders be…

  • What Happened in ‘The HERizon Project’?—Process Evaluation of a Multi-Arm Remote Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls

    Open AccessEmma S Cowley, Lawrence Foweather et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2022

    This mixed-methods process evaluation examines the reach, recruitment, fidelity, adherence, acceptability, mechanisms of impact, and context of remote 12-week physical activity (PA) interventions for adolescent girls named The HERizon Project. The study was comprised of four arms-a PA programme group, a behaviour change support group, a combined group, and a comparison group. Data sources included intervention deliverer and participant logbooks (…

  • Using Co-Design to Develop a Health Literacy Intervention with Socially Disadvantaged Adolescents

    Open AccessHannah Go, Craig W Smith et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2022

    The aim of this study was to initiate a co-design process with adolescents to inform the development of a targeted health literacy intervention for implementation in designated socioeconomically disadvantaged post-primary schools in Ireland. Purposely developed vignettes were explored in a series of eight workshops that were conducted separately with staff ( n = 26) and students ( n = 33) across four schools. Data was analysed using content analy…

  • Are all domains created equal? An exploration of stakeholder views on the concept of physical literacy

    Open AccessSuzanne Belton, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2022

    Differences observed across stakeholder groups underline the importance of developing a shared vision for physical literacy, and the need to clarify and gain consensus on a definition of the term and its domains. Engaging and understanding the voice of stakeholders is critical in ensuring the relevance, ownership of and commitment to physical literacy statement operationalisation

  • Co-design of a school-based physical activity intervention for adolescent females in a disadvantaged community

    Open AccessSara McQuinn, Suzanne Belton et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2022

    This paper describes how the BCW, a comprehensive, evidence-based, theory-driven framework was used in combination with PPI to co-design a school-based intervention aimed to increase adolescent females' PA levels. This approach could be replicated in other settings to develop targeted behavioural interventions in populations with specific demographic characteristics

  • Design of a new movement competence assessment for children aged 8–12

    Open AccessNathan Gavigan, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2022Cited by: 2

    Assessing children's movement competence (MC) offers numerous benefits for academics, practitioners, clinicians and children, allowing individuals to meet children's developmental needs and improve their MC. Yet, there is concern that currently available assessment tools only provide a single plane (fundamental movement skills) perspective of a child's MC. The aim of this study was to elicit the expert opinion of a mixture of academics and practi…

  • Physical literacy in children

    Open AccessÚna Britton, Sarahjane Belton et al.ARTICLEEuropean Physical Education Review2022Cited by: 1References: 1

    Physical literacy (PL) is highlighted as a construct that can positively impact physical activity (PA). Measurement methods and definitions for PL exist, but vary between research groups. This variation affects the ability to compare research findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity of PL in children. PL was operationalised according to Whitehead’s (2001 ) definition, comprising confidence, motivation, physical com…

  • Formative Evaluation of a Home-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls—The HERizon Project

    Open AccessEmma S Cowley, Paula M Watson et al.ARTICLEChildren2021

    Although no change in PA was observed, HERizon resulted in improved physical fitness and psychosocial outcomes. These preliminary findings, alongside positive findings for feasibility and acceptability, highlight potential benefits from the home-based intervention, thus further investigation is warranted

  • Girls Aren’t Meant to Exercise”

    Open AccessEmma S Cowley, Paula M Watson et al.ARTICLEChildren2021

    Although many adolescent girls enjoy PA, their experiences appear to be limited by a fear of judgement and an overarching sense of gender inequality. Future interventions, such as the HERizon Project, should address influences at intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational levels to promote positive PA experiences for adolescent girls

  • The Differential Impact of Screen Time on Children’s Wellbeing

    Open AccessSarahjane Belton, Johann Issartel et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2021

    Increased screen time has been found to be associated with a number of negative health and wellbeing indicators in youth populations. An increasing number of studies have investigated the association between screen time and wellbeing in adolescents, but evidence in younger children is still emerging. This 2017 study explored the effect of leisure screen time and gender on dimensions of wellbeing (measured using KIDSCREEN-27) in a national sample …

  • Understanding disadvantaged adolescents’ perception of health literacy through a systematic development of peer vignettes

    Open AccessHannah Go, Hannah R Goss et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2021

    As guided by the Ophelia framework, the use of authentic, interactive and participatory research methods, such as the co-creation of vignettes, is particularly important in groups that are underserved by traditional research methods. The approach used in this study could be adapted to other contexts to represent and understand stakeholders' perceptions of health, with a view to explore, and ultimately improve, health literacy