Staff profile

Dr Mark Faghy


He/Him

Associate Professor in Respiratory Physiology

Mark Faghy smiling

Subject

Sport and Exercise Science

College

College of Science and Engineering

Department

School of Human Sciences

Research centre

Human Sciences Research Centre, University Professorial Council

ORCiD ID

0000-0002-8163-7032

Campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Email

M.Faghy@Derby.ac.uk

About

I am an Associate Professor in Respiratory Physiology in the School of Human Sciences and an active researcher at the Human Science Research Centre. 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 respiratory 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 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.

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 that 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.

Professional interests

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

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.

Membership of professional bodies

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: 

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. The Role of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Long COVID and Acute Respiratory Infection. Japanese Council of Respiratory Muscle Training. September 2022 – Online
  4. COVID-19 and Long COVID Research: Trying to understand the challenge. BIOREME Sandpit event on Long COVID, University of Nottingham. September 2022
  5. Research in Long COVID, Panel Discussion. Long COVID Physio International Forum, September 2022
  6. 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
  7. The role of inspiratory muscle training and its application with Long COVID patients. Physiological Society Research Symposium. Invited Speaker. April 2022
  8. The need for bespoke long COVID support pathways to address long-term symptomology and morbidity for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, Kings College London – Research Symposium May 2022
  9. The role of inspiratory muscle training in the post-COVID-19 period. Physiological Society Research Symposium. April 2022
  10. COVID-19 and Research in Derby. Derby Impact Collaboration and Engagement (DICE) Network, Launch Event. March 2022

Recent conference proceedings:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Armstrong-Booth, K., Staples, V., Akehurst, S., Faghy, M, A., (2021)., Using COM-B and the Behaviour Change Wheel to design and implement a large-scale quantitative questionnaire to ascertain physical activity levels, health, and wellbeing of grandparents and well-being and children. BPS Division of Health Psychology. Online Conference
  9. Armstrong-Booth, K., Staples, V., Akehurst, S., Faghy, M, A., (2020)., Exploring the experiences of Grandparents spending active leisure time with their grandchildren: An. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The Midlands Health Psychology Network. Online Conference
  10. Faghy, M, A., Mayes, JP., Brown, PI., Keenan, J., Maden-Wilkinson. T., (2019), Flow resistive face masks worn during high-intensity interval training sessions do not improve 5-kilometre running performance. Oral presentation, British Association of Sport, and Exercise Sciences (BASES) annual congress, Leicester, 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.

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.

Additional interests and activities

Parliamentary and Government Contributions:

  1. Smith, A., Akubat, I., Broom, D., Gledhill, A., Faghy, M, A., 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 June 2021.https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/35621/html/ 
  2. Smith, A., de Oliveira, R., Faghy, M, A., M., Maxwell, N., (2021)., How can we lead more active lifestyles? NPS0035 - National Plan for Sport and Recreation, House of Lords Committee call for evidence. https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/21797/html/ 
  3. 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
  4. 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:

  1. 2020 - Expert Contribution to UK Parliament’s Covid-19 outbreak response. https://post.parliament.uk/horizon-scanning/expert-aknowledgements/
  2. 2020 - Expert Witness Report for Her Majesties Coroners Court for Derby and Derbyshire.
  3. 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/
  4. Faghy, M, A., (2020)., Aiding the fightback to lung health (Online Blog). Posted on April 6 2020
  5. Realising a nation’s footballing dreams using sport science (Online Blog). Posted on June 15 2019
  6. Traditional training methods vs newer methods (Online Blog). Posted on 7 May 2018
  7. 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, http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/should-you-wear-a-mask-during-training
  8. Is English football hurting the Premier League and putting players at risk? Published in ESPN, Posted on 26 Jan 2016, http://www.espn.co.uk/football/barclays-premier-league/23/blog/post/2794056/premier-league-fixture-congestion-set-to-continue

Governing Body Papers and Position Stands:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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  

In the media

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

Recent publications

For a full list of publications and works please see:

Most Recent Publications:

  1. Faghy, M, A., Owen, R., Thomas, C., Yates, J., Ferraro, FV., Skipper, L., Barley McMullen, Brown, D., Arena, R., Ashton, REM., (2022), Is Long COVID the next global health crisis? Journal of Global Health. IF: 7.664. DOI: 7189/jogh.12.03067
  2. Alghamdi, F., Owen, R., Ashton, REM., Obotiba, A, D., Meertens, RM., Hyde, E., Faghy, M, A., Rogers, P., Knapp, K., Strain, D., (2022), Post-Acute COVID syndrome (Long COVID): What should Radiographers know and the potential impact imaging services. Radiography IF: 1.98, DOI: 1016/j.radi.2022.08.009
  3. Davis, N., Pringle, A., Kay, AD., Blazevich, AJ, Teskey, D., Faghy, MA., Mina, M., (2022), Feasibility, Psychosocial Effects, Influence, and Perception of Elastic Band Resistance Balance Training in Older Adults, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health., 19(17)., IF: 4.614 DOI: 3390/ijerph191710907
  4. Conners, R., Whitehead, P., Skarp, T., Waller, B., Richard, M., Bain, C., Monks, M., Faghy, M, A., (2022), Acute Effects of Facial Coverings on Anaerobic Exercise Performance in College-Aged Adults., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, IF: 4.614 DOI: org/10.3390/ijerph191710500
  5. Severin, R., Franz, C, K., Farr, E., Meirelles, C., Area, R., Phillips, S., Bond, S., Ferraro, F., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., The effects of COVID-19 on Respiratory Muscle Performance: Making the case for Respiratory Muscle Testing and Training., European Respiratory Review., IF: 9.553 DOI: 1183/16000617.0006-2022
  6. Faghy, M, A., Arena, R., Babu, A, S., Christle, J, W., Marzolini, S., Popovic, D., Vermeesch, A., Pronk, N, P., Stoner, L., Smith, A., on behalf of the HL-PIVOT Network (2022)., Post Pandemic Research Priorities: A Consensus Statement from the HL-PIVOT., Progress in Cardiovascular Disease. IF: 8.194. DOI: org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.07.001
  7. Jayasinghe, S., Faghy, M, A., Hills, A, P., (2022)., Social justice equity in healthy living medicine - an international perspective, Progress in Cardiovascular Disease. IF: 8.194. DOI: org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.04.008
  8. Faghy, M, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T, M., Arena, R., Copeland, R, J., Owen, R. Hodkins, H, M, J., Willmott, A, G, B., (2022)., COVID-19 patients require multi-disciplinary rehabilitation approaches to address persisting symptom profiles and restore pre-COVID quality of life. Expert Reviews in Respiratory Medicine, IF: 2.432 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2022.2063843
  9. Popovic, D., Bjelobrk, M., Tesic, M., Seman, S., Jayasinghe, S., Hills, A., Babu, A., Jakovljevic, D., Stoner, L., Ozemek, C., Bond, S., Faghy, M, A., Pronk, N., Lavie, C., Josephson, R., Arena, R., (2022), Defining the importance of stress reduction in managing cardiovascular disease - the role of exercise., Progress in Cardiovascular Disease., IF: 8.194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.01.008
  10. Ashton, R, E M., Ryan, D., Ansdell, P., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Hume, E., Faghy, M, A., (2022), COVID-19 and the long-term cardio-respiratory and metabolic health complications., Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine., IF: 2.271, DOI: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/23/2/10.31083/j.rcm2302053
  11. Roscoe, CMP., Pringle, A., Chandler, C., Faghy, M, A., Barratt, B., (2022)., The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery: An Exercise Practitioner’s Perspective., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health., IF: 3.390 DOI: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/6/3600
  12. Pronk, N., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., Causal Systems Mapping to Promote Healthy Living for Pandemic Preparedness: A Call to Action for Global Public Health., International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity., IF: 6.714. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01255-7
  13. Newbury, J, W., Foo, W, L., Cole, M., Kelly, A, L., Chessor, R, J., Sparks, A, S., Faghy, M, A., Gough, H., Gough, L., Nutritional intakes of highly trained adolescent swimmers before, during, and after a national lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic, PloS One., IF: 3.24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266238
  14. Toon, N., McMaster, S., Outram, T., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., Assessing the Validity of a Kinematic Knee Sleeve in a Resistance-Trained Population., Engineering Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2022015010
  15. Gough, L, A., Clarke, N., Kelly, A, L., Cole, M., Foo, W, L., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., No Independent or Synergistic Effects of Carbohydrate-Caffeine Mouth Rinse on Repeated Sprint Performance During Simulated Soccer Match Play in Male Recreational Soccer Players, Science and Medicine in Football, IF: 2.50. DOI: org/10.1080/24733938.2021.2021277
  16. Arena, R., Myers, J., Ozemek, C., Hall, G., Severin, R., Laddu, D., Kaminsky, L., Stoner, L., Conners, R., Faghy, M, A., (2022)., An Evolving Approach to Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Muscle Function and Bone/Joint Health in the COVID-19 Era., Current Problems in Cardiology. IF: 6.763. DOI: org/10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2021.100879
  17. Bates, L., Zieff, G., Conners, R., Keith, N., Stevens, S., Faghy, M, A., Arena, R., Stoner, L., (2022)., Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in people with spinal cord injury: Mitigation strategies during COVID-19 on behalf of ACSM-EIM and HL-PIVOT. Disability and Health Journal. IF: 2.554 DOI: org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101177
  18. Parente, F., Hernandez, Y, A T ., Faghy, M, A., Roscoe, C, M, P., Maratos, F, A., (2021)., Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on remote workers’ physical and psychosocial well-being and work productivity. JMIRx DOI:10.2196/34609
  19. Arena, R., Faghy, M, A., (2021)., Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing as a Vital Sign in Patients Recovering from COVID-19., Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy. DO:.1080/14779072.2021.1985466 IF: 2.23
  20. Gough, L., Sparks, A, S., McNaughton, L, R., Higgins, M, F., Newbury, J, W., Trexler, E., Faghy, M, A., Bridge, C, A., (2021)., A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI: 1007/s00421-021-04774-6 IF: 3.467
Covid-19 molecules

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

person writing in a notebook on their lap

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.

An x-ray of a human chest

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.

Michael Johnson and Guyana team

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.

Stopwatch

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