Professor Mark Faghy

About

I am a Professor in Clinical Exercise Science in the School of Sport and Exercise Science and an active researcher in the Biomedical and Clinical Exercise Science Research Theme. After completing an undergraduate (2011) and PhD programme (2015) at the University of Derby, I joined the teaching team as a tutor in exercise physiology at Loughborough University (2015) before returning to Derby on a lectureship in 2016.

My research focus is in the area of clinical exercise physiology and my current projects are on understanding recovery patterns in people with Long COVID. I am currently leading several international investigations to increase understanding and awareness of Long COVID, including clinical datasets and lived experience. Our aim with this research is to develop bespoke patient-centred pathways to restore the functional status and quality of life.

My research activities also see me serve as an executive board member for the World Health Network and an advisor for the leading Long COVID organisations charities (Long COVID Physio, Long COVID Kids, Long COVID Support and Long COVID SOS). I also serve as a core member of the Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL-Pivot) international network and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Public Advisory and External Affairs Committee, where we actively engage in parliamentary activity to shape and influence policy.

I am also accredited as a clinical exercise physiologist by the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) as an exercise scientist by BASES and continue to work with athletes from applied settings.

Research interests

My research interests investigate the use of non-medicinal interventions to increase the capability of the respiratory system in all populations, my current research involves working closely with clinical groups nationally and internationally. At present, I am involved in multiple trials with different patient groups including COVID-19, Pneumonia and COPD.

Our COVID-19 work is supporting an increase in the understanding of COVID-19 symptomology and the impact this has upon patients in hospital and community settings. We are attempting to profile the determinants of recovery to inform the development of COVID-specific support pathways to increase patient outcomes and functional status.

My interest in COVID-19 work has led to engaging in several parliamentary exercises, including establishing the COVID-19 areas of research interest (2020), multiple submissions to parliamentary select committees and inclusion in the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Report (2021).

I am also a research sub-theme lead for the area of Respiratory Diseases/Physiology where I coordinate a team of research-active staff in the delivery of numerous projects aligned to the biomedical sciences.

Recent publications

For a full list of publications and works please see:

Most Recent Publications:

Dixit, S., Srivastava, S., Reddy, RS., Faghy, MA., Kakaraparthy, VN., Gular, K., Gupta, K., (In Press), Correlation between self-reported or supervised physical activity (PA) in non-communicable diseases (NCD) and co-morbidities during COVID-19 pandemic: A Systematic Review, American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Selected for Continuing Medical Education Article Accreditation
Faghy, M,A., Tatler, A., Chidley, C., Fryer, S., Stoner, L., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ashton, REM., (In Press)., The physiologic benefits of optimizing CRF and PA – from the cell to systems level in a post-pandemic world. Progress in Cardiovascular Disease., IF:278. DOI
Faghy, M,A., Duncan, R., Hume, E., Gough, L., Roscoe, CMP., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ashton, REM., Dalton, C., (In Press)., Developing Effective Strategies to optimize CRF and PA in the Long COVID population, the need for caution and objective assessment. Progress in Cardiovascular Disease., IF:278. DOI
Faghy, MA., Ashton, REM., (In Press)., Short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on psychological and cardiovascular functions. Heart and Minds Journal, IF: XX, DOI
Owen, R., Ashton, REM., Ferraro, F, Phillips, BE., Skipper., L, Faghy, MA., (In Press)., Acute COVID-19, the lived experience, and lessons to learn for future pandemics. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness IF:7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2023.197
Faghy, MA., Dalton, C., Duncan, R., Ashton, REM., (In press)., Using CRF Assessment to identify pathophysiology in Long COVID – best practice approaches., Progress in Cardiovascular Disease., IF:278. DOI: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11136-023-03513-y
Faghy, MA., Ashton, REM., (2023)., A Narrative Review on Increased Prevalence of Cardiovascular Complications Following a COVID-19 Infection: The Risks and Considerations for Effective Management and Practice, Heart and Mind., IF: DOI
Owen, R., Ashton, REM., Yates, J., Thomas, C., Ferraro, F, Bewick, T., Haggan, K., Faghy, MA., (2023)., The impact of living with Long COVID on quality of life and daily activities: the lived experience. Qualitative Health Research. IF: 233 DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s11136-023-03513-y
Sheraz, S., Ferraro, FV., Siddiqui, FA., Tariq, H., Faghy, M,A., Malik, AN., (2023)., A Systematic Review on the Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Balance and Functional Mobility., Postgraduate Medicine. DOI: org/10.1080/00325481.2023.2253136
Faghy, MA., Ashton, REM., Skipper, L., Kane, B., (2023)., Long COVID – Integrated Approaches to Chronic Disease Management?, American Journal of Medicine., IF: 5.928 DOI: org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.04.037
Owen, R., Ashton, REM,, Ferraro, FV., Skipper, L., Bewick, T., Leighton, P., Phillips, BE., Skipper, L., Faghy, MA., (2023)., Forming a consensus opinion to inform long COVID support mechanisms and interventions: a modified Delphi approach., The Lancet eClinical Medicine., IF:1 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.10214
Thomas, C., Owen, R., Yates, J., Ferraro, F, Bewick, T., Haggan, K., Faghy, MA., Ashton, REM., (2023)., Long COVID, the lived experience from a cohort observation in the United Kingdom through hand-written diaries. British Medical Journal Open. IF: 007, DOI: doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068481
Dobell, A., Faghy, M.A., Pringle, A., Roscoe, C.M.P. (2023), Improving Fundamental Movement Skills during Early Childhood: An Intervention Mapping Approach, Children, 7, 224. IF: 2.863. org/10.3390/children10061004
Ross, A., Hall, G., Laddu, D., Phillips, S., Bhatt, T., Faghy, MA., Lavie, CJ., (2023)., A Tale of One Pandemic Outliving Another: Are Even Lower Physical Activity Patterns. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic the New Norm?, Progress in Cardiovascular Disease. IF:278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2023.03.005
Faghy, MA., Ashton, REM., Gough, L., Arena, R., Lavie, C., Ozemek, C., (2023)., The impact of COVID-19 on the social determinants of cardiovascular health., Canadian Journal of Cardiology, IF: 6.614 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2023.02.073
Faghy, M, A., Whitsel, L., Arena, R., Smith, A., Ashton, REM., (2023)., A United Approach to Promoting Healthy Living Behaviours and Associated Health Outcomes: A Global Call for Policymakers and Decisionmakers. Journal of Public Health Policy., IF: 526 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-023-00409-6
Owen, R., Faghy, M, A., Ashton, REM., Ferraro. FV., (2023)., Pre-COVID-19 physical activity status does not protect against reductions in post-covid-19 symptoms: a correlation relativistic analysis during the lockdown., European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science., DOI: 46827/ejpe.v9i6.4767
Goulart, CL., Silva, RN., Oliverira, MR., Back GD., Arena, R., Faghy, MA., Borghi-Silva, A., (2023)., Proposing an #EASIER Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Protocol for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Survivors., Heart and Mind, 4103/hm.hm_28_22
Ndupu, LB., Staples, V., Lipka, S., Faghy, M, A., Bessadet, N., Bussell, C., (2023)., Application of theoretical domains framework to explore the enablers and barriers to physical activity among university staff and students: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health¸ IF: 4.545, DOI: org/10.1186/s12889-023-15588-w
Arena, R., Pronk, NP., Laddu, D., Faghy, MA., Bond, S., Lavie, CJ., (2023)., COVID-19, Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and chronic disease in the United States: Mapping the social injustice overlay. Progress in Cardiovascular Disease. IF:278. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.010

Membership of professional bodies

Accredited Clinical Exercise Physiologist - Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) (2022 - present)
Full and Accredited member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES; 2016 - present)
BASES Physiology and Nutrition Division - vice-chair (2018-2021)
BASES COVID-19 special interest group - core member (2020 - present)
BASES Public Advisory and External Affairs Committee (2021 -present)
Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL-PIVOT) International Network - core member (2020 - present)
European Respiratory Society (Silver Member)
American College of Sports Medicine - Exercise is Medicine Committee Member (2021-present)
European College of Sports Sciences
Higher Education Teaching Academy

Professional interests

My main professional interests are centred mainly on understanding recovery and the impact reduced respiratory function has on patient quality of life, with a focus on developing bespoke approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, University of Derby
PhD in Respiratory Physiology, University of Derby
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2016-Present)

Recent conferences

Invited Talks and Presentations

Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID - International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research. Toronto Canada, April 2024
Research in Long COVID, then, now and tomorrow, Long COVID Support Annual General Meeting. November 2023
Long COVID International Conference – Keynote speech – November 2023
Recognising and Supporting Long COVID, the research and applied clinical experience (2023), NHS England In Service Training Network. July 2023
Long COVID – the role of exercise physiology in understanding and addressing changes in functional status and quality of life. Clinical Exercise Physiology Association. Keynote Speaker. February 2023
Working and Researching in Long COVID, the role of the patient and the lived experience, GILEAD International Science Meeting. Keynote Speech, Barcelona, Spain. November 2022
The Role of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Long COVID and Acute Respiratory Infection. Japanese Council of Respiratory Muscle Training. September 2022 – Online
COVID-19 and Long COVID Research: Trying to understand the challenge. BIOREME Sandpit event on Long COVID, University of Nottingham. September 2022
Research in Long COVID, Panel Discussion. Long COVID Physio International Forum, September 2022
The need for bespoke long COVID support pathways to address long-term symptomology and morbidity. Invited Speaker. Centre for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, Kings College London. May 2022

Recent conference proceedings

Thomas, CT., Faghy, MA., Chidley, C., Phillips, BE., Bewick, T., Ashton, REM., (2023)., Blood Biomarkers of Long COVID: A Systematic Review., Demystifying Long COVID Conference, Madrid, Spain, poster presentation
White, M., Abel, M., Decker., M., Faghy, MA., (2023)., Impact of Combat Equipment on Respiratory Muscle Power during Load Carriage Performance., International Congress On Soldiers' Physical Performance., London (UK), poster presentation
Dobell, A., Pringle, A., Faghy, MA., Roscoe, CMP., (2023)., The effect of deprivation on young children physical activity levels, a mixed methods perspective., Society for Social Medicine and Population Health Conf. September 2023
Faghy, MA., Owen, R., Ashton, REM., (2022). Reduced respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and functional status and symptomology in patients referred to Long COVID clinics, an observational cohort analysis. British Thoracic Society. London, UK, December 2022
Faghy, MA., Owen, R., Ashton, REM., (2022)., A long road to recovery? Reduced quality of life, impaired functional status, and the lived experience of Long COVID patients, a cohort analysis. European Respiratory Society. Barcelona, Spain. September 2022
Adams, N. T., Bates, L. C., Conners, R., Zieff, G., Edgar, K. M., Stevens, S., Faghy, M. A., Arena, R., Vermeesch, A., Joseph, R. P., Keith, N., Martin Ginis, K. A., Stoner, L. A., (2022), Configurative review of physical activity and sedentary behaviour modifiers for people behavioural cord injury during COVID-19 and recommendations for promoting healthy behaviours. International Spinal behaviour Society Annual Scientific Meeting. Vancouver, Poster Presentation
Davis, N., Pringle, A., Kay, A, D., Blazevic h, A, J., Teskey, , Faghy, M, A., Mina, M., (2022)., Evaluation of the feasibility, psychosocial effects, influence, and perception of elastic band resistance balance training in older adults., European College of Sport Science. Oral Presentation Cologne. Germany
Owen, R., Ashton, R, E, M., Yates, J., Ferraro, F., Thomas, C., Idris, R., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., pre-COVID physical activity status does not protect against developing Long COVID symptoms., Physiological Society Long COVID: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Recovery. Flash Talk
Yates, J., Faghy, M, A., Owen, R., Thomas, C., Idris, R., Ferraro, F., Ashton n, R, E, M., (2022), Comparing the profiles of individuals hospitalised with COVID-19 with those referred to Long Covid services, Physiological Society Long COVID: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Recovery. Flash Talk
Toon, N., McMaster, S., Outram, T., Faghy, M, A., (2021)., Assessing the Validity of the Kinematic Knee Sleeve., International Conference on the Challenges, Opportunities, Innovations and Applications in Electronic Textiles (E-Textiles), Oral Presentation: Manchester, England

Experience in industry

I currently lead and have established a number of projects with industrial partners which includes being awarded funding for two projects via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for productivity through innovation awards with SoeHealth and Footfalls & Heartbeats.

I also work with several UK and European partners on projects related to respiratory muscle training.

In the media

Aiding the fightback to lung health (Online Blog). Posted on April 6 2020
Realising a nation’s footballing dreams using sport science (Online Blog). Posted on June 15 2019
Science Council, Showcasing Science Article: Post COVID-19 Recovery – Looking to Sport
Invited talk (webinar). The role of the exercise scientists in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaipur National University. India
Traditional training methods vs newer methods (Online Blog). Posted on 7 May 2018
Should you wear a mask during training? Restricted airflow's all the rage. MH tries training like Bane. Published in Men's Health, Posted on 27 June 2016
Is English football hurting the Premier League and putting players at risk? Published in ESPN, Posted on 26 Jan 2016
The countdown to the Derby 10k is on – but how much should you train? Derby Telegraph, Posted on March 28 2015

International experience

I have a strong international profile through my work with the Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL-Pivot) network and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and membership of the Exercise is Medicine Committee. I also hold visiting researcher status at the University of Illinois Chicago, USA.

These roles have led to international keynote presentations at national and international events.

Teaching responsibilities

My current teaching responsibilities include the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects as well as making contributions to several undergraduate modules in the areas of exercise physiology, physical activity and health and applied sports practices. I also currently supervise ten PhD students who are related to several externally funded projects in the area of respiratory physiology and innovative technologies.

I have also used my experience and accreditation as a clinical exercise physiologist in the leadership and development of the new clinical exercise science MSc which I module lead and contribute in various areas.

Additional interests and activities

Parliamentary and Government Contributions

McFarlane, S., Peters, S., Stanley, K., Faghy, MA., (2023)., Children Missing in Education., Submission on Behalf of Long Covid Kids to the Department for Education. July 2023
Smith, A., Faghy, MA., Ross, M., De Oliveria, R., Foster, C., Green, M., Maxwell, N., Struszcak, L., Jones, H., Lewis, K., Broom, D., (2023)., Major Conditions Strategy for England. UK Department of Health and Social Care. Submitted June 2023
Smith, A., Akubat, I., Broom, D., Gledhill, A., Faghy, M, A., M., Maxwell, N., de Oliveira, R., Knowles, Z., Ross, M., (2021) BASES Evidence to the DCMS sport select committee on major cultural and sporting events. Published 22^nd June 2021. https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/35621/html/
Smith, A., de Oliveira, R., Faghy, M, A., M., Maxwell, N., (2021)., How can we lead more active lifestyles? NPS0035 – Published in the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation. Submitted Evidence: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/21797/html/ Final Report: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/482/national-plan-for-sport-and-recreation-committee/
Bunn, S., (2020)., Mental health impacts of COVID-19 on NHS staff. Research Briefing. https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0634/ Acknowledged as an official contributor
Expert Contribution to UK Parliament’s COVID-19 outbreak response. https://post.parliament.uk/horizon-scanning/expert-aknowledgements/ Acknowledged as an official contributor
Smith, A., de Oliveira, R., Faghy, M, A., M., Maxwell, N., (2020)., Sport in our communities BASES evidence to the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee. https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/21797/html/

Expert Acknowledgements/Media Contributions

Long COVID Physio – Consultant expert, developing safe rehabilitation for Long COVID patients (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pWZg_epDkg) and Exercise in Long COVID (URL)
Long COVID Kids – consultant expert, developing an education tool kit for Long COVID, five videos
Lead for COVID-19 enquiry module three submission on behalf of Long COVID Physio and the Long COVID Collaborative. Witness statement submission to module three of the enquiry ‘Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare’, (July 2023)
Not just numbers - how data is supporting an understanding of Long Covid (Online Blog), February 2023 https://www.derby.ac.uk/blog/data-supporting-understanding-long-covid/?utm_source=organic+social&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=derbyunipress&utm_content=f8114766-b27f-4d2e-bd89-cabc7292e702&utm_campaign=
Expert Witness Report for Her Majesties Coroners Court for Derby and Derbyshire. December 2020
Faghy, M, A., (2020)., Science Council, Showcasing Science Article: Post COVID-19 Recovery – Looking to Sport Science https://sciencecouncil.org/showcasing-science-post-covid-19-recovery-looking-to-sport-science/Expert Contribution to UK Parliament’s Covid-19 outbreak response. (April 2020) https://post.parliament.uk/horizon-scanning/expert-aknowledgements/
Aiding the fightback to lung health (Online Blog). Posted on April 6^th, 2020, https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2020/04/lung-health-respiratory-recovery-coronavirus/
Realising a nation’s footballing dreams using sports science (Online Blog). Posted on June 15^th, 2019, https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2019/06/sport-science-guyana-concacaf-gold-cup/
Traditional training methods vs newer methods (Online Blog). Posted on 7^th May 2018, https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2018/05/traditional-training-methods-vs-newer-methods/
Should you wear a mask during training? Restricted airflow's all the rage. MH tries training like Bane. Published in Men's Health, Posted on 27^th June 2016, http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/should-you-wear-a-mask-during-training

Governing Body Papers and Position Stands

Arena, R., Myers, J., Kaminsky, L, A., Williams, M., Sabbahi, A., Popovic, D., Axtell, R., Faghy, M, A., , A, P., Lizett, S., Olivares, O., Lopez, M., Pronk, N., Laddu, D., Babu, A, S., Josephson, R., Whitsel, L, P., Severin, R., Christle, J, W., Dourado, V., Niebauer, J., Savage, P., Austford, L, D., Lavie, C, J., (2021), Current Activities Centered on Healthy Living and Recommendations for the Future: A Position Statement from the HL-PIVOT Network., Current Problems in Cardiology.,IF: 2.966
Smith, A., de Oliveira, R., Faghy, M, A,, M., Maxwell, N., (2020)., Reopening of Sport and Exercise Science Departments in Higher Education after lockdown’. BASES Position Stand
Smith, A., de Oliveira, R., Faghy, M, A.,, M., Maxwell, N., (2020)., The BASES Position Stand on the ‘Reopening’ of Sport and Exercise Science Departments in Higher Education After Lockdown

Not just numbers - how data is supporting an understanding of long Covid

Dr Mark Faghy, who is conducting research into long Covid, explores how data can help drive change.

Posted: 16 February 2023

By: Professor Mark Faghy

person writing in a notebook on their lap

From Respiratory Research to Long-Covid Pathways

Dr Mark Faghy, Associate Professor in Respiratory Physiology at the University of Derby, discusses the journey that led his team from research in occupational physiology and the possible benefits to respiratory patients, to informing the support and treatments that would improve recovery for patients post pandemic.

Posted: 17 March 2022

By: Professor Mark Faghy

Aiding the fight back to lung health

As many people recover from Covid-19's attack on the respiratory system, Dr Mark Faghy discusses work being done to help people fully regain their health after recovery.

Posted: 6 April 2020

By: Professor Mark Faghy

Realising a nation’s footballing dreams using sport science

Our sport science expertise has helped Guyana's national football team reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time. Here's how they did it.

Posted: 16 June 2019

By: Professor Mark Faghy

Traditional training methods vs newer methods

Dr Mark Faghy, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology at the University of Derby, discusses the pros and cons of new and old training programmes

Posted: 8 May 2018

By: Professor Mark Faghy

Professor Mark Faghy

He/Him

Professor in Clinical Exercise Science

About

Research interests

Recent publications

Most Recent Publications:

Membership of professional bodies

Professional interests

Qualifications

Recent conferences

Experience in industry

In the media

International experience

Teaching responsibilities

Additional interests and activities