Biography
Professor Tony Myers is a Professor in Quantitative Methods specialising in applied data analysis and the innovative application of generative artificial intelligence (AI). He provides expert statistical consultancy to researchers and postgraduate students, with a particular focus on applied Bayesian modelling.
He holds significant professional leadership roles. He is the chair and founder of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) Sport, Exercise and Health SIG, a member and former chair of the Journal of Sports Science Statistics and Research Design Advisory Group, and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
He has fifteen-year research programme into the sport of Muay Thai, establishing him as a world authority on the influences on judging. This academic expertise is uniquely complemented by his practical experience as an internationally recognised coach, having trained multiple professional British, European, and World Muay Thai champions. This research had significant real-world impact, recognised as ‘internationally excellent’ in social impact in both the 2014 and 2021 Research Excellence Frameworks (REF).
Professor Tony Myers’s work has directly influenced national policy. A notable project, funded by the Maltese government, explored the efficacy of a diet and physical activity intervention. Following his presentation of the findings to all EU directors of sport in 2017, the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport announced the project’s roll-out to all schools across Malta.
Nationally, he contributed statistical analysis to a HEA strategic excellence initiative at Newman University. His report, which explored the influence of subject area, entry qualifications, disability, and ethnicity on student success, resulted in important institutional changes.
He actively disseminates his expertise to global audiences through webinars on Bayesian data analysis and AI via platforms including Human Kinetics, BASES, and the Biomechanics Lecture Series, and has presented his research internationally.
Profile
Research Interests
Professor Myers’ research interests are centred on applied statistical modelling, with a specific specialism in Bayesian methods. His expertise is applied across several key domains:
Sport Performance and Development
This includes modelling the training process, training load, maturation effects, and predictors of talent retention (e.g., in football academies).
Exercise and Public Health
This area involves identifying predictors of health outcomes, developing normative reference charts for fitness (e.g., hand grip strength), and assessing the efficacy of wearable technology for achieving moderate-intensity physical activity.
Artificial Intelligence
He investigates the application of AI in education and its potential for closing the attainment gap.
Advanced Methodological Applications
His advisory work and collaborations involve specific, complex modelling, such as predicting swimming success from anthropometry, modelling the impact of sleep deprivation, and producing centile growth curves for physiological data (e.g., ventilation/CO2 slopes).
Qualitative and Theoretical Frameworks
Beyond statistical modelling, he supervises research using theoretical frameworks such as Ecological Systems Theory (for athlete development) and methodologies like realist evaluation (for assessing mental health projects).
Teaching
Academic skills, research methods, the application of generative artificial intelligence across schools, including providing training for staff.
Administrative Responsibilities
Director of Studies for PhD students, Independent Chair for PhD oral examinations, Chair of the Birmingham Newman UCU branch, mentor and assessor for Birmingham Newman’s Professional Standards Framework (PSF).
Membership of Professional Organisations
- Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
- Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Conferences and Other Research Activity
Professor Myers is an external REF advisor for Solent University Human Function and Health, supporting their REF 2029 submission.
He has delivered a number of keynotes and conference presentations including recent keynotes on quantitative analysis (University of Westminster, London), ‘AI in HE: the promise of helping close the attainment gap’ (Global Banking School (GBS), London), conference presentation, We teach what we learn: statistical education in UK undergraduate sport and exercise science-related degree programmes’ UKCOTs (The Royal Statistical Society).
Professor Myers is an experienced postgraduate supervisor and examiner. He has successfully supervised nine PhD students to completion and has served as an external advisor for PhD candidates at institutions including Leeds Beckett, the University of Stirling, and the University of Limerick. He has extensive experience as an external examiner for both taught programmes (University of Wolverhampton, University of Chichester) and research degrees (PhD, EdD, and MRes) at universities including Leeds Beckett University, the University of Birmingham, and Coventry University.
Publications
Nevill, A.M., Wyon, M., Myers, J. et al. (2025). Response to Lolli’s Comment on “Predicting VO2max Using Lung Function and Three-Dimensional (3D) Allometry Provides New Insights into the Allometric Cascade (M0.75)”. Sports Medicine (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02317-z
Safi, A., Hossain, M. and Myers, T. D. (2025).Faith, health and well-being: a qualitative study exploring Islamic perspectives on physical activity and the role of Imams (scholars). Discover Social Science and Health 5, 95 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00236-y
Safi, A., Khawaja, I., Alkhatib, A. et al. Myers, T.D. (2025). A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK. Discover Public Health 22, 249 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00621-7
Warner, A., Vanicek, N., Benson, A., Myers, T., and Abt, G. (2025). Criterion validity of a newly developed Apple Watch app (‘MVPA’) compared to the native Apple Watch ‘activity’ app for measuring criterion moderate intensity physical activity. Digital health, 11, 20552076251326225. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251326225
Mercieca, R. M., Zarb, A., and Myers, T. (2025). A study to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in Malta: Diet, exercise, and education. MCAST Journal of Applied Research and Practice, 8(3-Special Issue), 7-28.
Eustace, S. J., Alderman, K., Murray, K., Tallis, J., Myers, T., and Page, R. M. (2025). The influence of soccer-specific exercise on isokinetic angle-specific thigh musculature strength in female soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 43(11), 1005–1014. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2025.2482367
A. M. Nevill, M. Wyon, J. Myers, M. P. Harber, R. Arena, T. D. Myers, Kaminsky, L. A, (2025). Predicting VO2max Using Lung Function and Three-Dimensional (3D) Allometry Provides New Insights into the Allometric Cascade (M), Sports Medicineicine 55(7):1757-1767 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02208-3
Nevill, A.M., Duncan, M.J., Nobre, G.C. Gaya, A., Myers T.D. Mello, J.B. (2024). Identifying the key body size and maturity characteristics associated with superior physical fitness performance tests: does one size fit all?. Sport Sciences for Health . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01196-7
Barry, L., Lyons, M., McCreesh, K., Myers, T., Powell, C., and Comyns, T. (2024). The Relationship Between Training Load and Injury in Competitive Swimming: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study. Applied Sciences, 14(22), 10411. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210411
Powell, E., Woodfield, L. A., Powell, A. J., Myers, T. D., and Barker, M. (2024). Are school settings restricting access to daily physical activity for children with cystic fibrosis? Parents’ perspectives and recommendations for practice. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2419165
Dugdale, J.H., Myers, T. D. Sanders, D., Andrew, M., Clarke R.and Hunter A.H. (2024) Evaluation of multi-directional speed qualities throughout adolescence in youth soccer: The non-linear nature of transfer, Journal of Sports Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2329846
Myers, T.D., Eyre, E. and Mcfarlane, J. (2023). Psycho-Social Development of the Grassroots Player, Including the Voice of the Child In Duncan, M., Noon, M., and Seabra, A. (Eds.). Science and Practice of Youth Soccer (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032665238
Scoles, L.H., Myers, T.D., Benkwitz, A. Holland, M. J.G. (2023). Professionals’ Perceptions of Physical Activity Provision for Mental Health Service Users. Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40737-023-00375-y
Negra, Y., Sammoud, S., Myers, T.D., Nevill, A.M. and Chaabene, H. (2023) Normative Values for Measures of Physical Fitness Among Tunisian School Children. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-023-00219-y
Nevill, A. M., Leahy, G. D., Mayhew, J., Sandercock, G. R., Myers, T.D, and Duncan, M. J. (2023). ‘At risk’waist-to-height ratio cut-off points recently adopted by NICE and US Department of Defense will unfairly penalize shorter adults. What is the solution?. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice. 17(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2023.01.002
Safi, A., Khawaja, I., Collins, P., and Myers, T.D (2023). A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Physical Activity Levels of Afghans and Other South Asian Youth in the UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1087. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021087
Argento, R., Holland, M. J.G., Lawrence, S. Myers, T.D. (2022). Sporting Excellence in Malta Viewed Through an Ecological Systems Lens: A Qualitative Investigation Into Athletes’ Attitudes, Aspirations and Feelings. MCAST Journal of Applied Research and Practice, 6 (3): 35-52 https://journal.mcast.edu.mt/resources/html/article/details?id=233005
Warner, A., Vanicek, N., Benson, A., Myers, T.D., and Abt, G. (2022). Agreement and relationship between measures of absolute and relative intensity during walking: A systematic review with meta-regression. Plos one, 17(11), e0277031. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277031
Ellis, M., Myers, T.D., Taylor, R., Morris, R., and Akubat, I. (2022). The Dose–Response Relationship Between Training-Load Measures and Changes in Force–Time Components During a Countermovement Jump in Male Academy Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1(aop), 1-8. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0107
Nevill, A. M., Duncan, M. J., and Myers, T.D. (2022). NICE’s recent guidelines on “the size of your waist” unfairly penalizes shorter people. Obesity research and clinical practice, 16(4), 277-280.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2022.08.002
Richardson, D. L., Tallis, J., Duncan, M. J., Clarke, N. D., and Myers, T. D. (2022). The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived physical activity, physical function and mood of older adults in the UK: A follow-up. study (March 2020–June 2021). Experimental gerontology, 111838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.111838
Nevill, A. M., Duncan, M. J., and Myers, T.D. (2022). BMI is dead; long live waist- circumference indices: But which index should we choose to predict cardio-metabolic risk? Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2022.04.003
Lipski, E. S., Spindler, D. J., Hesselink, M. K. C., Myers, T. D., and Sanders, D. (2022). Differences in Performance Assessments Conducted Indoors and Outdoors in Professional Cyclists. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0341
Dugdale, J. H., Sanders, D., Myers, T.D, Williams, A. M., and Hunter, A. M. (2021). Progression from youth to professional soccer: A longitudinal study of successful and unsuccessful academy graduates. Scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports, 31(S1), 73-84. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13701
Morris, R., Myers, T.D., Emmonds, S., Singleton, D., and Till, K. (2021). Does Resisted Sled Towing Improve the Physical Qualities of Elite Youth Soccer Players of Differing Maturity Status? Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 3(1), 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-020-00087-w
Myers, T. D., Negra, Y., Sammoud, S., Chaabene, H., and Nevill, A. M. (2021). Discerning excellence from mediocrity in swimming: New insights using Bayesian quantile regression. European journal of sport science, 21(8), 1083-1091. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1808080
Nevill, A. M., Myers, J., Kaminsky, L. A., Arena, R., and Myers, T. D. (2021). Comparing individual and population differences in minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slopes using centile growth curves and log-linear allometry. ERJ Open Research, 7(3), 00088-02021. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00088-2021
Nevill, A. M., Negra, Y., Myers, T. D., Duncan, M. J., Chaabene, H., and Granacher, U. (2021). Are Early or Late Maturers Likely to Be Fitter in the General Population? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 497. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/497
Nevill, A. M., Tomkinson, G. R., Lang, J. J., Wutz, W., and Myers, T. D. (2021). How Should Adult Handgrip Strength Be Normalized? Allometry Reveals New Insights and Associated Reference Curves. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002771
Noon, M. R., Eyre, E. L. J., Ellis, M., Myers, T. D., Morris, R. O., Mundy, P. D., Penny, R., and Clarke, N. D. (2021). The Influence of Recruitment Age and Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics on the Development Pathway of English Academy Football Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(2), 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0534
Richardson, D. L., Duncan, M. J., Clarke, N. D., Myers, T. D., and Tallis, J. (2021). The influence of COVID-19 measures in the United Kingdom on physical activity levels, perceived physical function and mood in older adults: A survey-based observational study. Journal of sports sciences, 39(8), 887-899. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1850984
Safi, A., and Myers, T. D. (2021). Barriers to Physical Activity: A Comparison of Afghans Living in the UK and Afghanistan. Advances in Physical Education, 11(01), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.111008
Taylor, R., Myers, T. D., Sanders, D., Ellis, M., and Akubat, I. (2021). The Relationship between Training Load Measures and Next-Day Well-Being in Rugby Union Players. Applied Sciences, 11(13), 5926. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/13/5926
Noon, M. R., Eyre, E. L. J., Ellis, M., Myers, T. D., Morris, R. O., Mundy, P. D., Penny, R., and Clarke, N. D. (2021). The Influence of Recruitment Age and Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics on the Development Pathway of English Academy Football Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(2), 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0534
Richardson, D. L., Duncan, M. J., Clarke, N. D., Myers, T. D., and Tallis, J. (2021). The influence of COVID-19 measures in the United Kingdom on physical activity levels, perceived physical function and mood in older adults: A survey-based observational study. Journal of sports sciences, 39(8), 887-899. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1850984
Towlson, C., MacMaster, C., Gonçalves, B., Sampaio, J., Toner, J., MacFarlane, N., Barrett, S., Hamilton, A., Jack, R., Hunter, F., Myers, T., and Abt, G. (2020). The effect of bio-banding on physical and psychological indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players. Science and Medicine in Football, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2020.1862419
Myers, T. D., Negra, Y., Sammoud, S., Chaabene, H., and Nevill, A. M. (2020). Discerning excellence from mediocrity in swimming: new insights using Bayesian quantile regression. European Journal of Sport Science, 1-21. DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1808080
Ellis, M., Penny, R., Wright, B., Noon, M., Myers, T.D and Akubat, I. (2020) The Dose-Response Relationship Between Training Load Measures and Aerobic Fitness in Elite Academy Soccer Players, Science and Medicine in Football, DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2020.1817536
Dugdale, J. H., Sanders, D., Myers, T., Williams, A. M., and Hunter, A. M. (2020). A case study comparison of objective and subjective evaluation methods of physical qualities in youth soccer players. Journal of sports sciences, 38(11-12), 1304-1312. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1766177
Nevill, A. M, Yassine Negra, Myers, T.D. Senda Sammoud, and Helmi Chaabene (2020) Key somatic variables associated with, and differences between the 4 swimming strokes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38:7, 787 794, DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1734311
Brown, F, Jeffries, O, Gissane, C, Howatson, G, van Someren, K, Pedlar, C, Myers, T.D, and Hill, JA. (2020). Custom-fitted compression garments enhance recovery from muscle damage in rugby players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003408
Abt, G., Bray, J., Myers, T.D, and Benson, A. (2020). Letter to the editor regarding the article ‘Walking cadence required to elicit criterion moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status’ by Abt et al. (2019), Journal of Sports Sciences, 38:3, 306-307. doi: 0.1080/02640414.2019.1697485
Abt, G., Bray, J., Myers, T.D., and Benson, A. C. (2019). Walking cadence required to elicit criterion moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status. Journal of Sports Sciences,37:17, 1989-1995,https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1612505
Cullen, T., Thomas, G., Wadley, A. J., and Myers, T.D. (2019). The effects of a single night of complete and partial sleep deprivation on physical and cognitive performance: A Bayesian analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences ,37(23), 2726-2734.
Abt, G., Bray, J., Myers, T.D., and Benson, A. C. (2019). Walking cadence required to elicit criterion moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status. Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-7 doi: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1612505
Ellis, M., Noon M, Myers, T.D and Clarke N. (2018). Low doses of caffeine enhances physical performance in elite adolescent male soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. pp. 1-21. ISSN 1555-0265
Morris, R., Jones, B., Myers, T.D, Lake, J., Emmonds, S., Clarke, N., and Till, K. (2018). Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Characteristics in Elite Youth Male Soccer Players: Comparisons by Age and Maturity Offset. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002673
Morris, R., Emmonds, S., Jones, B., Myers, T.D., Clarke, N.D Lake, J., Ellis, M., Singleton, D, Roe, G., Till, K. (2018). Seasonal Changes in Physical Qualities of Elite Youth Soccer Players according to Maturity Status: Comparisons with Aged Matched Controls. Science and Medicine in Football. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2018.1454599
Powell, E., Woodfield, L.A. Nevill, AM., Powell, A.J., Myers, T.D. (2018) We have to wait in a queue for our turn quite a bit’: Examining children’s physical activity during primary physical education lessons. European Physical Education Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336×18785343
Duncan, J. Clarke, S. Myers, T. D., Tallis, T., Arnab, S. (2018). A hybrid, gamified and mystery-driven approach for facilitating problem based learning in a postgraduate strength and conditioning module. Practice and Evidence of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Myers, T. (2017). Getting Out of the Laboratory to Make Experiments Real: Can Sports Fans Influence Muay Thai Judges? Frontiers for Young Minds, Understanding Neuroscience.5:13. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2017.00013
Powell, A., Myers, T., (2017). Developing Mental Toughness: Lessons from Paralympians, Frontiers in Psychology 8:1270. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01270
Sanders, D., Heijboer, M., Hesselink, M. K., Myers, T., and Akubat, I. (2017). Analysing a cycling grand tour: Can we monitor fatigue with intensity or load ratios? Journal of Sports Sciences. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1388669.
Taylor, R. Sanders, D., Myers, T. D., Taylor, C. A. and Akubat, I. (2017).The reliability and validity of integrated external and internal load ratios as measures of fitness in academy rugby union players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002391
Sanders, D., Myers, T., and Akubat, I. (2017). Training Intensity Distribution in Road Cyclists: Objective Versus Subjective Measures. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12, https://doi.org/10.1123/IJSPP.2016-0523
Taylor, R. Sanders, D., Myers, T. D. Abt, G., Taylor, C. A. and Akubat, I. (2017). The Dose-Response Relationship Between Training Load and Aerobic Fitness in Academy Rugby Union Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0121
Sanders, D., Abt, G., Hesselink, M. K., Myers, T., and Akubat, I. (2017). Methods of monitoring training load and their relationships to changes in fitness and performance in competitive road cyclists. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 12, 5,:668-675. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2016-0454
Sanders, D., Heijboer, M., Hesselink, M. K., Myers, T., and Akubat. (2017). A field-based cycling test to assess predictors of endurance performance and establishing training zones. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001910
Dinsdale A., and Myers, T.D. (2016). Interpreting statistical tests for training interventions. Professional Strength and Conditioning. 41, 7-16
Myers, T.D. (2014). Achieving external validity in home advantage research: generalizing crowd noise effects. Frontiers in Psychology, 5:532.https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001910
Myers, T. D., Balmer, Nevill, A.M. and Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2013). Techniques used by elite Thai and UKMuay Thai fighters: An analysis and simulation. Advances in Physical Education. 3, 4, 175-186. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2013.34029
Myers, T. D., Nevill, A.M. and Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2013). A comparison of the effect of two different judging systems on the technique selection of Muay Thai competitors. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise. 8, 3, 761-777.https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2013.83.01
Myers, T. D., and Balmer, N. J. (2012). The impact of crowd noise on officiating in Muay Thai: achieving external validity in an experimental setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 346. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00346
Myers, T.D., Nevill, A.M. and Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2012). The influence of crowd noise upon judging decisions in Muay Thai. Advances in Physical Education. 2, 4.https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.24026
Graham M.R., Myers T. D., Evans P., Davies B., Cooper S.M., Bhattacharya K., Grace F.M., Baker J.S. (2011). Direct hits to the head during amateur boxing is associated with a rise in serum biomarkers for brain injury. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology. 24, 1,119-25.
Myers, T.D., Nevill, A.M. and Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2010). An examination of judging consistency in a combat sport. The Quantitative Journal of Sport, 6, 3, 1-16.https://doi.org/10.2202/1559-0410.1178
Myers, T.D., Balmer, N.J., Nevill, A.M. and Al-Nakeeb,Y (2006). Evidence of Nationalistic Bias in Muaythai. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine CSSI, 21-27.