My continued scholarship mission is to study the mechanics of head injuries in sports.
I am interested in improving the safety of protective headgear and helmets by studying in-vivo head impact biomechanics and evaluating the current headgear/helmet to develop better impact testing standards. Ultimately, I want to develop a non-invasive concussion assessment tool that can save lives in both sporting situations and in the military population. An additional area of research interest is my focus on movement quantification to be able to detect early onset of dysfunction in movement (i.e. gait) and pain which can be an indicator of diseases both physical and mental, such as osteoarthritis, autism, Alzheimer’s.
Sports Movement Analysis Technology and Sensors
Director of Movement Solutions Laboratory
- Ph.D., Seoul National University, Physical Education, Biomechanics, 2012
- M.S., Seoul National University, Physical Education, Biomechanics, 2008
- B.S., Trinity College Dublin, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, 1999
- Associate Professor, Dept. of Physical Education, Seoul National University
Korea Taekwondo Association Medical and Research Committee Member (2022-24)
Para-Taekwondo Classification Committee January 2014 – 2021 (Renewed 2-Year Appointments)
World Taekwondo Taekwondo Research (2019 – 2022)
[Published Peer-Reviewed Articles]
- Chae HW, Kim JB, Park GM, O’Sullivan DM, Seo JW, Park JJ. An Artificial Intelligence Exercise Coaching Mobile App: Development and Randomized Controlled Trial to Verify Its Effectiveness in Posture Correction. Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 2023: vol. 12, e37604
- Kim YS, O’Sullivan DM. Can Low Intensity Strength Training Alone for Older
Females Improve Cardiovascular and Functional Fitness? The Asian Journal of Kinesiology, 2023; 25(1), 3-10
- Jeong HS, Jeong DH, O’Sullivan DM, Jun HP, Kim MJ, Lee IJ, Jeon HG, Lee SY. Incidence of Sport Injuries in the Manchester 2019 World Taekwondo Championships: A Prospective Study of 936 Athletes from 145 Countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023; 1987
- O’Sullivan DM, Jeong HS, Won HJ. Functional Reaction times of a Simulated Blocking Test among Para Taekwondo Athletes. Healthcare, 2022;10, 1231-1239
- Wang QY, Lim TH, O’Sullivan DM, Bae JS. The structural relationship among perceived positive and negative parenting attitude, sport life skills, and transfer of Chinese student-athletes. Archives of Budo, 2022; 18, 287-297
- Park SB, O’Sullivan DM, Lee JH. Investigate the Effect of Arch Support Stiffness on
Gait Characteristics in Men with Flexible Flat Feet – A Focus on the Ankle Joint -. Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 2022; 32(2),37-42
- O’Sullivan DM, Kim SB, Moon JH, Kim SM. Proposal of a Novel Framework in Korea for a Total Safe-Care Fitness Solution in the COVID-19 Era. Sci, 2022; 4(45), 1-14
- Kim HS, O’Sullivan DM, Chung SH. Applying Gamification Principles and Therapeutic Movement Sequences to Design an Interactive Physical Activity Game: Development Study. JMIR Serious Games, 2022; 10(4),e38133
- Kim HS, O’Sullivan DM, Camurri A, Park YH, Kolykhalova K, Piana S, You JA, Jeong HS. Effect of stress on hand movement in a laboratory setting among high school students: Preliminary Research. Human Movement, 2022; 23(2), 28-37.
- O’Sullivan DM, Kim HY, Kim ZH. A preliminary investigation how lavender essential oil may reduce stress of high school students during class. Iranian Journal of Public Health., 2021; 2152-54.
- Song HK, Seo KE, O’Sullivan DM, Park JJ. A biomechanical analysis of the effect of Pilates exercise of female college students with knee joint deformity. The Asian Journal of Kinesiology, 2021; 23(3), 20-28.
- Kim HY, O’Sullivan DM, Camurri A, Kolykhalova K, Park YH. Evaluation of a Computer Vision-Based System to analyse behavioural changes in high school classrooms. International Journal of Information and Communication technology Education, 2021, 17(4),m 1-12.
- Jeong HS, Ha S, Jeong DH, O’Sullivan DM, Lee SY. Injury and Illness in World Taekwondo Junior Athletes: An Epidemiology Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021; 18, 2134.
- Jeong HS, O’Sullivan DM, Rus PR, Montes de Orca R. Expert consensus statement to guide research in evidence-based classification of athletes for Para-Taekwondo – A Delphi Study. Journal of Men’s Health, 2021; 1-6.
- Davalli A, O’Sullivan DM, Stefano B, Jeong HS. Types and severity of physical impairments in Para Taekwondo athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2021: 12675.
- Jeong HS, Lee SY, Noh HU, O’Sullivan DM, Lee YR, Investigating the influence of Taekwondo body protectors size on shock absorption. Technology and Health care, 2021; 29, 667-675.
- Tiernan S, Meagher A, O’Sullivan DM, O’Keeffe E, Kelly E, Wallace E, Doherty c, Campbell, Liu Y, Domel A. Concussion and the severity of head impacts in mixed martial arts. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H-Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 2020; 1472-1483.
- Tiernan S, Meagher A, O’Sullivan DM, O’Keeffe E, Kelly E. Finite element simulation of head impacts in mixed martial arts Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 2020.
- Kwon O, Lim T, O’Sullivan DM. Evaluation of Life Skills Program to Change Learning Attitudes of Former Student-Athletes. Psychology and Education, 2020: 226-232.
- O’Sullivan DM, Kwak M, Kim Y, Jeong H. Are Head Impacts Safe during Youth Soccer Game Practice? Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 2020, 155-163.
- Tiernan S, Byrne G, O’Sullivan DM. Evaluation of skin-mounted sensor for head impact measurement, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H-Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 2019; 1-10.
- Kim YS, O’Sullivan DM, Shin SK. Can 24 weeks strength training reduce feelings of depression and increase neurotransmitter in elderly females?, Experimental Gerontology 2019;115:62-68
- Kim SK, O’Sullivan DM. Gait Pattern of Hemiplegic Patients with Swimming Aqua-noodles, Korean Journal of Sports Biomechanics, 2019; 29(1): 1-7.
- Tiernan S, O’Sullivan DM, Byrne G. Repeatability and Reliability Evaluation of a Wireless head-band sensor, The Asian Journal of Kinesiology, 2018; 20(4):70-75.
- Lim TH, Jang CY, O’Sullivan DM, Oh HK. Applications of psychological skills training for Paralympic table tennis athletes, Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 2018;14(3):367-374.
- Fife GP, O’Sullivan DM, Lee SY. Injury Incidence and Severity at the 5th World Para-Taekwondo Championships, The Journal of Kinesiology, 2017, 19(1): 45-53.
- Fife GP, O’Sullivan DM, Lee SY. Rotational and linear head accelerations from
taekwondo kicks and punches. Journal of Sports Science. 2017;
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1398406.
- O’Sullivan D, Roe M, Blake C. Analysis of head impacts during sub-elite hurling practice sessions. Journal of Sports Science. 2017, DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1373196.
- O’Sullivan DM, Fife GP. Biomechanical head impact characteristics during sparring practice sessions in high school taekwondo athletes. Journal of Neurosurgery Paediatrics. 2017;
DOI: 10.3171/2017.1.PEDS16432.
- O’Sullivan DM, Fife GP. Impact attenuation of protective boxing and taekwondo headgear, European Journal of Sport Science, 2016, DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2016.1161073
- Lim BO, O’Sullivan DM, Choi BG, Kim MY. Comparative gait analysis between children with autism and age-matched controls: analysis with temporal-spatial and foot pressure variables. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016; 28 pp. 286-292.
- Lim TH, O’Sullivan D, Case Study of Mental Skills Training for a Taekwondo Olympian. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2016, pp. 235-245.
- Lee SM, Lee CH, O’Sullivan DM, Jung JH, Park JJ. Clinical effectiveness of a Pilates treatment for forward head posture. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016; 28 pp. 2009-2013.
- O’Sullivan D, Fife G, Pieter W, Lim TH, Shin IS. Resultant linear acceleration of an instrumented head form does not differ between junior and collegiate taekwondo athletes’ kicks. Journal of Sport and Health Science. Available online 28 April 2015
- O’Sullivan D, Fife G. Biomechanical performance factors for development of minimum disability requirements in Para-Taekwondo – Part 1. Central European Journal of Sports Sciences and Medicine. 2015, Vol. 11, No. 3, 63-69
- Fife GP, O’Sullivan D, Pieter W. Biomechanics of head injury in Olympic taekwondo and boxing. Biology of Sport. 2013; 30: pp. 263-268. DOI: 10.5604/20831862.1077551
- Moon JH, Shin IS, Kang MS, Kim YH, Lee KW, Park JW, Kim DH, Koo DH, O’Sullivan D. The Effects of Shoulder Flexion Angles on the Recruitment of Upper-extremity Muscles during Isometric Contraction. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2013; 25 pp. 1299-1301.
- O’Sullivan D, Fife GP, Pieter W, Shin IS. Safety Performance Evaluation of Taekwondo Headgear. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013; 47, pp 44-55.
- Fife GP, O’Sullivan DM, Pieter W, Kaminski TW. The effects of taekwondo kicks on head accelerations and head injury: a pilot study. International SportMed Journal. 2013. Vol 14 (2) pp 53-66.
- Woo JH, Ko JY, Choi EY, Her JG, O’Sullivan D. Development and Evaluation of a Novel Taekwondo Chest Protector to Improve Mobility for the Wearer When Performing Axe Kicks. Biology of Sport. 2013; 30 (5) pp. 51-55.
- Lim TH, O’Sullivan D. Empirical verification of the effect of taekwondo on manners in elementary school students. Archives of Budo Science of Martial Arts and Extreme Sports. 2013 (9), pp. 23-31.
- Kim SB, O’Sullivan D. Effects of aqua aerobic therapy exercise for older adults on muscular strength, agility and balance to prevent falling during gait. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2013. 25 (8), pp. 923-927.
- Choi YC, Her JG, Ko JY, Koo DH, Woo JH, O’Sullivan D, Kim HS. The Effects of Chair Height and Foot Position on Chronic Stroke Patients’ Sit-To-Walk Movement. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2013, 25, pp. 431-435.
- Fife GP, O’Sullivan DM, Pieter W, Cook DP, Kaminski TW. Effects of Olympic Style Taekwondo Kicks on an Instrumented Head-Form and Resultant Injury Measures. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012;00: pp. 1– doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-090979 1.
- Pieter W, Fife GP, O’Sullivan DM. Competition injuries in taekwondo: a literature review and suggestions for prevention and surveillance British Journal of Sports Medicine.2012;46: pp. 485-491 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091011. Commissioned by the International Olympic Committee.
- Lee JT, O’Sullivan D. Change in Kinetics and Kinematics during one footed Drop Landing According to an Increase Upper Body Weight. Korean Journal of Sports Biomechanics. 21; 1, 2011; pp. 1-7.
- O’Sullivan D, Chung C, Lee K, Kim E, Kang S, Kim T, Shin IS. Measurement and Comparison of Taekwondo and Yongmudo Turning Kick Impact Force for Two Target Heights. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2009; 8 (CSSI III): pp. 13-16.
- O’Sullivan D, Chung C, Lee K, Kim E, Kang S, Kim T, Shin IS. Measurement and Comparison of Taekwondo Body Height Roundhouse Kick. International Journal of Human Movement Science. 2008 (2), pp. 115-121.
[Funding & Joint Projects]
1. Collaborator 2023 Jan – 2023 Dec
Behavioural intervention digital treatment content development and data collection/ analysis/
standardization system establishment
Funding: Total 60,000,000 Won / Approx. $50,000 (Funded)
2. Collaborator 2019 Sept – 2023 Feb
Preliminary research on digital therapeutics development project
Funding: Total 50,000,000 Won / Approx. $40,000 (Funded)
3. Collaborator 2019 Dec – 2020 Nov
Development of protocol-based physical activity intervention application for dementia prevention
Funding: Total 50,000,000 Won / Approx. $40,000 (Funded)
4. Principal Investigator 2019 -2020 (September to August)
Concussion and the severity of head impacts in mixed martial arts
Funding: Total 12,000,000 Won / Approx. $10,000 (Funded)
5. Principal Investigator 2019 (March to August)
Foundation study on the locomotion characteristics of the Korean population
Funding: Total 46,750,000 Won / Approx. $35,000 (Funded)
6. Principal Investigator 2016-2019
Research Exchange for Development of Service Platform Using Non-verbal Communication
Interface– Focusing on HCI based on Movement and Gesture
National Research Foundation (Korea)
Funding: Total 240,000,000 Won / Approx. $ 217,735, 80,000,000 won per year (Funded)
7. Principal Investigator 2015 October 1st to March 31st, 2016 (6 months)
Effects of a ‘Good Posture Cushion’ on the kinematics of sitting trunk posture
Korean Telecom (KT) Communications and Pusan National University Hospital
Funding: 30,000,000 won (approx. $29,000 USD) (Funded)
8. Collaborator 2015 – 2018
Business Model Development for Children’s Physical Activity Convergence Contents and Health
Care Service Platform Using Gesture Recognition-based Immersive Interactive Technology
Korean Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology
Funding: 14 billion won (approx. $1,400,000 USD) (Funded)
9. Principal Investigator 2014-2015
In-vivo head impact analysis during taekwondo competition
National Research Foundation (Korea)
Funding: 20,000,000 Won / Approx. $18,820 (Funded)
10. Principal Investigator 2013-2014
Evaluation of Taekwondo and Boxing Headgear Impact Attenuation Performance
National Research Foundation (Korea)
Funding: 20,000,000 Won / Approx. $18,820 (Funded)
11. Research Assistant 2008-2009
Development of Virtual Reality Sporting Environment – Snowboarding and Golf
Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation (Korea)
Funded by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Korea.
Funding: Approx. 50,000,000 Won / $47,050 (Funded)
12. Research Assistant 2008-2009
Biomechanical Investigation of Taekwondo Techniques
Kukkiwon – Headquarters of World Taekwondo Federation
Funded by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Korea.
Funding: 4,000,000 Won / Approx $37,640 (Funded)