Christopher Marley

Christopher Marley is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education at the University of South Wales, affiliated with the Sport and Exercise Research and Innovation Group. His work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal on Education and focuses on the intersection of physical activity, brain health, and cognitive function.

Education:

• PhD in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and its Impact on Cerebrovascular Function Across the Lifespan; Link to Cognition (2016)
• PgCert in Developing Professional Practice in Higher Education (2016)
• Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training (2017)
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (2010)

His research explores how exercise, hypoxia, and metabolic factors influence cerebrovascular and cognitive health, particularly in athletes. Key areas include football heading, concussion, redox balance, and neurovascular coupling. The fingerprint of his work highlights expertise in Middle Cerebral Artery dynamics, football science, nitrosative stress, hypoxia, cognition, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

His recent publications (2023–2025) reveal a strong focus on the neurological consequences of sports and environmental stressors, including soccer heading, hypoxia, and post-prandial metabolic challenges. These studies employ physiological and neurocognitive assessments to understand brain health in both young and older adults.

Scientific Awards:

• USW Impact Awards - Impact on Health and Wellbeing (2024)

Marley actively contributes to the academic community through peer review for Frontiers in Neurology and Routledge, and serves on committees including the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education and the Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport. He has supervised student research and is co-investigator on two major projects: 'Head injury iN sport: HAUNT' and 'Yr ymennydd ar uchder' (The Brain at Altitude), both running from 2024 to 2027. His public engagement includes media appearances on exercise for brain health and the risks of football heading.

Labs and Research Groups: He is an active member of the Sport and Exercise Research and Innovation Group, which conducts interdisciplinary research on physical activity, health, and performance.