Working life: Dr Sarah Kelly, exercise physiologist

6.30am

If Jake, my 18-month-old, is awake, I have a few minutes play with him, otherwise Daddy’s on duty in the mornings.

8.15am

I grab a coffee and make some final changes to my lectures. Every day is different, which I love.

Mornings are spent in lectures, practicals, meetings or at my desk.

9am

This morning I’m delivering a lecture on exercise for older adults. This is a big interest of mine and I’ve developed a new module this year.

Exercise has an enormous role to play in the prevention of many lifestyle-mediated diseases and there is a real need for exercise programmes specific to older adults.

10am

I am meeting some students regarding their work placement.

Before Christmas, my third year students developed a weekly exercise rehabilitation programme for a local cancer survivors’ group, Éist.

The classes were a mixture of strength training and aerobic conditioning, and completely student-led.

The students loved it and so did everyone in Eist.

The students had their eyes opened to the wider possibilities within exercise science and many are now expressing an interest in pursuing this route for their work placement, and possibly their career.

1pm

I pop over to the canteen for a catch-up with colleagues.

Before I head back to my office I meet with my postgraduate student, to discuss his submission to an upcoming conference.

2pm

In between my afternoon lectures I try to get some other work done.

We are currently developing a new health research programme in IT Carlow.

We have a vibrant staff and HealthCore will provide a platform to promote their work.

I have a number of other initiatives ongoing, including the Aviva Workplace Fitness Challenge.

We’ve developed an app — “Move Your MET” which can measure your fitness using your phone.

The six-week challenge aims to get Ireland’s 1.9m employees more active in the workplace.

There is also some media work involved around the challenge.

5pm

Either myself or my husband, Paddy picks Jake up from crèche.

Once Jake is down for the night, I head for a workout in Dundrum, and then spend a few hours preparing lectures and replying to emails before bed.

* Dr Sarah Kelly, exercise physiologist, Institute of Technology Carlow