SPORT AND EXERCISE
We focus on performance, injury prevention, sports therapy, clinical neuroscience, and vascular health.
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We are proud to be home to the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Centre for Football Research.
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EXPERTISE AND MEMBERS
Our mission is to produce world-class research that drives meaningful change across health, performance, and related sectors, benefiting individuals and organisations.
Globally recognised for excellence, our group’s members are leaders in their fields. We have secured significant research funding from a variety of prestigious sources, including The Royal Society, HEFCW, Welsh Government, European Social Funds, and industry partners like Sport Wales, FAW and Chartered Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences.
IMPACT
Our work impacts professional education, human health, policy development, cutting-edge technology, and organisational operations. We contribute to the training of sport and exercise science practitioners, coaches, and leaders, and have supported Welsh athletes' success at major competitions. Additionally, our research enhances performance preparation, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and human functioning in a wide range of sectors.
- 96% of our sport and exercise science research is world leading or internationally excellent (4* / 3*)
- 100% of our research impact is world leading or internationally excellent (4* / 3*)
- 100% of our outputs are world leading or internationally excellent (4* / 3*)
- USW is joint first in the UK for impact and for outputs out of 61 universities (4* / 3*)
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Research Impact: Concussion in Sport – Improving Player Welfare
Sports-related concussion affects thousands of people around the world annually, representing a significant public health concern. USW's research into the long-term effects of concussions in sports like rugby and football have driven policy changes, increased awareness, and enhanced player welfare.
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Research Impact: Improving the Well-being and Performance of the Elite Coaching Workforce
USW researchers have reshaped coach education at the FAW (Football Association Wales), emphasising mental well-being and stress management with personalised support and improved coping mechanisms. Their work has informed industry standards, benefiting coaches nationwide and promising broader societal impacts on coaching practices and mental well-being in sports.
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The Global Multisport Impact of the NordBord
Revolutionising Hamstring Injury Prevention.
Achievements
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KEY PROJECTS
The brain at high-altitude
Understanding how the brain defends oxygen and glucose delivery clinically important given that many brain disorders, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementias are characterised by impaired cerebral bioenergetic function.REdox-reguLATIon of neuroVascular unIT function in hYpoxia: RELATIVITY
In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), French Polar Institute (IPEV), Italian National Antarctic Program (PNRA) and German Aerospace Centre (DLR), academics from the University of South Wales are currently investigating the long-term consequences of extended hypoxia, which has been shown to associate with neurological deficits in those that fail to acclimatise to this environment.Welsh Rugby Union National Schools & Colleges Physical Profiling Project
Managed and licenced by the Welsh Rugby Union, the Welsh Schools and Colleges league comprises the 16 best school and college teams from across Wales.HeAd injUry iN sporT: HAUNT
Lead by Professor Damian Bailey, the Neurovascular Research Laboratory have sought to identify and better understand the link between concussion and neurodegeneration across a variety of sports including boxing, rugby union and football.What does a world class coach educator look like?’ Exploring effective coach education within a European football contex
Two main issues relating to coach education have become increasingly highlighted: (1) the misunderstood nature of the coach educator role; and (2) coach educators’ inability to balance coach learners’ needs (i.e., self-determined learning) with the delivery of coach qualification content, thus inhibiting the development of an expert coach education workforce.COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
The Sport and Exercise Research and Innovation Group collaborates with leading industry partners to deliver research-based solutions tailored to their challenges and needs. By combining academic expertise with practical application, we drive innovation in sports performance, coaching, and athlete well-being.
- Chartered Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences
- Head for Change
- The English Football League Trust (EFLT)
- The Football Association of Wales
- Pontypridd RFC
- Sport Wales
- Welsh Institute of Performance Science (WIPS)
- UK Coaching
- The Welsh Rugby Union
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Work with us
We welcome collaboration with industry, government, and academic partners to drive innovation and tackle real-world challenges. Whether you’re interested in co-developing solutions, exploring funding opportunities, or partnering on research projects, we are open to discussing how we can work together to achieve impactful outcomes.
To learn more or discuss potential collaborations, please contact Professor Brendan Cropley at [email protected].
Facilities
Our work is supported by cutting-edge facilities that enhance both research and the overall environment for staff and research students. Key resources include:
This £16 million, 10,150 m² facility is dedicated to sports performance and development. It features a full-sized indoor football pitch, a dual-purpose strength and conditioning room, and specialised equipment such as the 3DCODA motion analysis system, ASL mobile-eye tracker, and Catapult GPS units. Sport Park II not only facilitates applied research but also provides a dynamic environment for research students and staff to collaborate with key partners like the Football Association of
Wales (FAW) and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). The facility also benefits from valuable equipment donated by Vald Performance.
This lab includes a CASES-accredited exercise physiology lab and an environmental chamber. It supports advanced research techniques like X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, transcranial Doppler, and breath-by-breath respiratory gas analysis.
Researchers use advanced software for data collection and analysis, including JMP, Biorender, Focus, and MatchTracker. These tools support rigorous, innovative research and offer research students and staff the latest technology for data analysis.
Through partnerships with other research and innovation groups, we have access to additional facilities and equipment, including UV spectroscopy, ELISA, RT-PCR, biofeedback tools, EEG, and psychological data collection labs.
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Whether you’re pursuing a PhD, MPhil, or Masters by Research, you’ll be guided by passionate, leading experts, making a positive impact on individuals, communities, charities, businesses, and governments worldwide. We welcome UK and international applications for research degrees. Study full-time or part-time, on campus or remotely, depending on your area. Professionals with an existing body of work may also be eligible for a PhD by Portfolio.
Our research students are integral to our team. They benefit from excellent research facilities, dedicated study areas, and opportunities to present their work at national and international conferences.
Research-informed teaching
The MSc module The Football Coach as Psychologist integrates research conducted by USW academics to explore the psychological demands of football coaches. Students analyse real-world scenarios, such as those faced by Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, and Emma Hayes, using research from both the wider field and USW’s own outputs. This approach bridges theory and practice, enabling students to apply evidence-based solutions to real-world challenges, while showcasing the University’s expertise in sport and exercise research.
Postgraduate Research DegreesResearch students
Our PhD students represent a diverse range of professional and academic backgrounds, with research spanning areas such as professional service delivery in the sport sciences, head injuries and human functioning, rehabilitation adherence, and high-altitude hypoxia. Many balance their studies with professional careers, including international roles, highlighting the flexibility of USW’s PhD programmes.
Our research graduates excel in various sectors, from academia and clinical practice to industry leadership. Their success highlights our focus on producing highly skilled researchers who drive advancements in their fields.
USW Research Impact | Mental toughness in young elite footballers