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    • Dr Oliver Barley
      https://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0009/823536/oliver-barley.jpg
    • Dr Oliver Barley

      Dr Oliver Barley

Dr Oliver Barley

Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5321
Email: o.barley@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO19.393  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8543-9818

Dr Oliver Barley is a lecturer in the School of Medical and Health Sciences. His role includes teaching sports science units, supervising higher degree by research students and conducting high-quality research. His research focuses on exercise physiology and/or combat sports.

Research Areas and Interests

  • Exercise physiology
  • Combat sports
  • Hydration
  • Thermal stress
  • Performance testing

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosphy, Edith Cowan University, 2019.
  • Master of Science (Sports Science), Edith Cowan University, 2016.
  • Bachelor of Science Major ESSA Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University, 2013.

Research Outputs

2025

Journal Articles

  • Barley, O., Harms, C. (2025). Rapid Weight Loss Across Combat Sports and the Relationships Between Methods and Magnitude. Translational Sports Medicine, 2025(1), article number 2946317. https://doi.org/10.1155/tsm2/2946317.
  • Doherty, C., Barley, O., Fortington, L. (2025). Incidence of Health Problems in Australian Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai Competitors: A 14-Month Study of 26 Combat Sports Events. Sports Medicine - Open, 11(1), Article number 60. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00880-3.
  • Vial, S., Scanlan, M., Beranek, P., Kadlec, D., Barley, O., Cochrane Wilkie, J. (2025). How Strong Is Strong Enough? Assessing When Physical Performance Tests Cease to Be Predictive of Sprint Performance in Trained Football Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2025(Article In press), 7 pages. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005185.
  • Doherty, C., Barley, O., Fortington, L. (2025). Is there a relationship between rapid weight changes and self-reported injury in combat sports athletes? A 14-month study of 24 combat sports events. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2025(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2025.01.007.
  • Wilson, C., Scanlan, M., Doherty, C., Barley, O. (2025). Investigating the Internal and External load Associated with Umpiring Semi-professional Australian Rules Football. International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science, 13(1), 80-87. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.13n.1p.80.
  • Barley, O., Vial, S., Scanlan, M., Tapsell, L., Wilson, C., Giustiniano, J., Plush, M., Doherty, C. (2025). Influence of height and reach on fight-ending punches in the ultimate fighting championship™ mixed martial arts promotion. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2025(Article In press), 12 pages. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541251338509.

2024

Journal Articles

  • Barley, O., Harms, C. (2024). Different Methods of Winning, Losing, and Training in Combat Sports and Their Relationship with Overall Competitive Winningness. Translational Sports Medicine, 2024(2024), article number 5531981. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5531981.
  • Doherty, C., Fortington, L., Barley, O. (2024). Sex Differences in Hydration Biomarkers and Test-Retest Reliability Following Passive Dehydration. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 34(2), 88-100. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0146.
  • Rohner, L., Abbiss, C., Poon, W., Barley, O. (2024). Reliability of time-motion analysis in striking combat sports; [Fiabilité de l'analyse temps-mouvement dans les sports de combat de frappe]. Science and Sports, 39(8), 654-664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2023.12.004.
  • Doherty, C., Fortington, L., Barley, O. (2024). Rapid Weight Changes and Competitive Outcomes in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts: A 14-Month Study of 24 Combat Sports Events. Sports, 12(10), article number 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12100280.
  • Barley, O., Doherty, C., Scanlan, M., Tapsell, L., Wilson, C., Giustiniano, J., Plush, M., Vial, S. (2024). Exploratory analysis of fight-ending punches in the ultimate fighting championship™ mixed martial arts promotion. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2024(Article in press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241296615.
  • Doherty, C., Fortington, L., Barley, O. (2024). Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Implications for Hydration Testing in Combat Sports—Investigating Body Mass Loss and Biomarker Changes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 34(8), article number e14701. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14701.
  • Doherty, C., Fortington, L., Barley, O. (2024). Prevalence of disordered eating and its relationship with rapid weight loss amongst male and female combat sport competitors: A prospective study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27(11), 745-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2024.06.007.
  • Wilson, C., Scanlan, M., Bradbury, DG., Barley, O. (2024). Intervention Accuracy and Perception of Fatigue in State-Level Australian Football Umpires. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2024(Article in press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241289077.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Harms, C., Barley, O. (2023). Alexithymia and Impulsivity in Combat Sports – A Tale of Three Measures. Psychological Reports, 2023(Article in press), 23 pages. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231201951.
  • Ceylan, B., Barley, O., Balci, SS. (2023). Changes in body mass and hydration status in judo athletes before and after a top-level competition: a descriptive case study. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 51(3), 228-233. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2022.2026200.
  • Smolarek, T., Haff, G., Poon, W., Nagatani, Y., Barley, O., Guppy, S. (2023). Dynamic and Isometric Force-Time Curve Characteristics Influencing Change of Direction Performance of State-Level Netball Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(12), 2397-2404. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004616.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Plush, M., Guppy, S., Nosaka, K., Barley, O. (2022). Exploring the Physical and Physiological Characteristics Relevant to Mixed Martial Arts. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 44(2), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000649.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Plush, M., Guppy, S., Nosaka, K., Barley, O. (2021). Developing a comprehensive testing battery for mixed martial arts. International Journal of Exercise Science, 14(4), 941-961. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/10401.
  • Barley, O., Harms, C. (2021). Profiling Combat Sports Athletes: Competitive History and Outcomes According to Sports Type and Current Level of Competition. Sports Medicine - Open, 7(2021), Article number 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00345-3.
  • Mavropalias, G., Calapre, L., Morici, M., Koeda, T., Poon, W., Barley, O., Gray, E., Blazevich, T., Nosaka, K. (2021). Changes in plasma hydroxyproline and plasma cell‑free DNA concentrations after higher‑ versus lower‑intensity eccentric cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(4), 1087-1097. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04593-1.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Abbiss, C. (2020). Reviewing the current methods of assessing hydration in athletes. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17(1), Article number 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00381-6.
  • Mavropalias, G., Koeda, T., Barley, O., Poon, W., Fisher, A., Blazevich, T., Nosaka, K. (2020). Comparison between high‑ and low‑intensity eccentric cycling of equal mechanical work for muscle damage and the repeated bout effect. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(5), 1015-1025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04341-5.
  • Amatori, S., Barley, O., Gobbi, E., Vergoni, D., Carraro, A., Baldari, C., Guidetti, L., Rocchi, M., Perroni, F., Davide, S. (2020). Factors influencing weight loss practices in Italian boxers: A cluster analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), Article number 8727. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238727.
  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Mavropalias, G., Abbiss, C. (2020). The Influence of Heat Acclimation and Hypohydration on Post-Weight-Loss Exercise Performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(2), 213-221. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0092.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Guppy, S., Abbiss, C. (2019). Considerations when assessing endurance in combat sport athletes. Frontiers in Physiology, 10(March 2019), Article number 205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00205.
  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Abbiss, C. (2019). The current state of weight-cutting in combat sports. Sports, 7(5), article no.123. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7050123.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Abbiss, C. (2018). Weight Loss Strategies in Combat Sports and Concerning Habits in Mixed Martial Arts. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(7), 933-939. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0715.
  • Barley, O., Iredale, F., Chapman, D., Hopper, A., Abbiss, C. (2018). Repeat Effort Performance is Reduced 24 Hours After Acute Dehydration in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(9), 2555-2561. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002249.
  • Barley, O., Chapman, D., Blazevich, T., Abbiss, C. (2018). Acute dehydration impairs endurance without modulating neuromuscular function. Frontiers in Physiology, 9(NOV), Article number 1562. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01562.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Hopper, A., Haff, E., Barley, O., Joyce, C., Lloyd, R., Haff, G. (2017). Neuromuscular training improves movement competency and physical performance measures in 11-13 year old female netball athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(5), 1165-1176. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001794.

Research Projects

  • Understanding and Addressing Illness, Injury and Weight-Cutting in Combat Sports, Combat Sports Commission, Scholarships to Support Industry Engagement PhD Projects, 2021 ‑ 2026, $105,000.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigating goal-scoring in international association football; A look at the history, geography and differences between sex at the elite level
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Determining Thresholds of Diminishing Returns in Performance Assessments of Trained Sprinters
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Assessing the sensitivity of a sub-maximal fitness test for monitoring training load in professional rugby union across a competitive season

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Goal Scoring Opportunities and Ball Recovery Strategies Across Different Representative Age Groups in International Female Football Teams

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Boxing Performance Analysis: The Role of Camera Systems, Match Conditions, and Automation
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Safety and Performance in Combat Sports
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, The physiological requirements and intervention accuracy of umpiring state-level Australian Rules Football

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Understanding Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Mixed Martial Arts Athletes
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