Projects per year
Personal profile
Experience
Chris graduated from the University of Glamorgan with a First class honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Following his graduation, he was awarded a prestigious JPR Williams Research Scholarship at the same institution, which allowed him to work towards an MPhil in Exercise Physiology. In 2012, Chris began working towards his PhD entitled “Cardiorespiratory fitness and its impact on cerebrovascular function: link to cognition”, which he completed in 2016.
He was appointed as Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at The University of South Wales in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018. Between January and March 2023, he was appointed as Head of Subject for Sport on an interim basis.
Chris has also:
- Lectured at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he contributed to the Exercise Physiology, as well as the Physical Activity, Health and Special Population modules.
- Facilitated the delivery of two multi-site, randomised control trials, which were funded by the National Institute of Social Care and Health Research Cymru and led by Cardiff University. The trials aimed to assess the feasibility and potential functional benefits of physical activity (Engage-HD) and structured exercise training (ExeRT-HD) in patients diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition Huntington’s disease.
- Acted as the Stroke Research Coordinator for the Older People and Ageing Research Network Cymru situated within Swansea University, where he was responsible for facilitating new and developing existing innovative collaborations in stroke research in Wales.
Teaching interests
Chris is course leader for:
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Sport, Health & Exercise Science
Chris is module leader for the following modules:
Postgraduate
Exercise Physiology
Nutrition for Health and Performance
Undergraduate
Inside the Body: From Muscle to Mind
Anatomy and Physiology
Advanced Exercise Physiology
Environmental Physiology
Chris also contributes to the following modules:
Postgraduate
Research Project
Undergraduate
Dissertation
Translating Science into Performance
Research interests
1. Physical activity and diet as a means of preserving brain health.
2. Head injuries in sport.
3. Factors that influence oxygen delivery to the brain.
Research website: https://exercise.research.southwales.ac.uk/
Find me on Linkedin
Other Interests
Professional Memberships
Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport - HE Representative for University of South Wales
Physiological Society.
American College of Sports Medicine.
Peer-review Activities
Experimental Physiology.
Frontiers Neurology
Grant Applications
University of South Wales Strategic Research and Impact Grant: £15,000
Physiological Society Travel Grant, 2011-2012, 2014-2016 and 2018-2019.
International Union of Physiological Sciences Travel Grant, Birmingham, 2013.
JPR Williams Research Scholarship recipient, 2010.
Education/Academic qualification
Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training, Diverse Trainers
Award Date: 30 Aug 2017
PgCert in Developing Professional Practice in Higher Education
Award Date: 12 Dec 2016
PhD, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and its Impact on Cerebrovascular Function Across the Lifespan; Link to Cognition
Award Date: 7 Nov 2016
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Award Date: 22 Jun 2010
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Active
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The brain at high-altitude
Bailey, D. (PI), Stacey, B. (CoI), Fall, L. (CoI), Owens, T. (CoI), Marley, C. (CoI), Hirtz, C. (CoI), P Bartsch , R. (CoI), N Ainslie, P. (CoI), Vrselja, Z. (CoI), Sestan, N. (CoI) & Hurt, D. (CoI)
1/01/24 → 31/12/27
Project: Research
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HeAd injUry iN sporT: HAUNT
Bailey, D. (PI), Owens, T. (CoI), Marley, C. (CoI), Walmsley, D. (CoI), Hirtz, C. (CoI) & P Bartsch , R. (CoI)
1/01/24 → 31/12/27
Project: Research
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Network oscillatory dynamics accompany cerebral bioenergetic defence in hypoxia
Bailey, D. M., Stacey, B. S., Ma, Y., Washio, T., Tsukamoto, H., Owens, T. S., Calverley, T. A., Fall, L., Marley, C. J., Iannetelli, A., Hashimoto, T., Ando, S., Ogoh, S., Marchi, N., Butkovic, J., Mumlek, I., Parry, B., Vrselja, Z., Pawelczyk, J. A. & Bartsch, R. P., 4 Jun 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. 00, 00, 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Psychological stress catalyses free radical–mediated activation of coagulation in humans
Fall, L., Stacey, B., Swain, E., Samuel , E., Robinson, M., Walmsley, D., Marley, C., Owens, T., Haq, A., Yandle, L., Cox, K. & Bailey, D., 25 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Physiology. 604, 12, p. 4707-4716 10 p., JP290576.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
Phosphodiesterase inhibition restores hypoxia-induced cerebrovascular dysfunction subsequent to improved systemic redox homeostasis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study
Stacey, B. S., Marley, C. J., Tsukamoto, H., Dawkins, T. G., Owens, T. S., Calverley, T. A., Fall, L., Iannetelli, A., Lewis, I., Coulson, J. M., Stembridge, M. & Bailey, D. M., Jul 2025, In: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. 45, 7, p. 1343-1356 14 p., 0271678X251313747.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Post-prandial hyperlipidaemia impairs systemic vascular function and dynamic cerebral autoregulation in young and old male adults
Marley, C., Davis, D., Brugniaux, J., Tsukamoto, H., Burma, J. S., Smirl, J. & Bailey, D., 1 Jul 2025, In: Journal of Nutritional Physiology. 2, 7 p., 100005.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile47 Downloads (Pure) -
We fed people a milkshake with 130g of fat to see what it did to their brains – here’s what we learned
Marley, C. & Bailey, D., 6 Aug 2025, The Conversation.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
File7 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Frontiers in Neurology (Journal)
Marley, C. (Peer reviewer)
2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (External organisation)
Marley, C. (Member)
May 2022 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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Routledge (Publisher)
Marley, C. (Peer reviewer)
2021Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Faculty of Life Sciences and Education (Organisational unit)
Marley, C. (Member)
Sept 2020 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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Press/Media
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New study focuses on the effects of heading the ball in football
16/08/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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New research for footballers heading the ball
9/08/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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New discoveries for footballers heading the ball
6/08/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Sport-related concussion: Is football “heading” towards a crisis?
6/03/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Prizes
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Journal of Nutritional Physiology - Best Paper 2025
Marley, C. (Recipient), Davis, D. (Recipient), Brugniaux, J. (Recipient), Tsukamoto, H. (Recipient), Burma, J. S. (Recipient), Smirl, J. D. (Recipient) & Bailey, D. (Recipient), Jul 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
USW Impact Awards - Impact on Health and Wellbeing
Owens, T. (Recipient), Marley, C. (Recipient) & Bailey, D. (Recipient), 24 Oct 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)