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    • Dr Paola Chivers
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    • Dr Paola Chivers

      Dr Paola Chivers

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  • ResearchGate profile

Dr Paola Chivers

Adjunct Associate Professor

Staff Member Details
Email: p.chivers@ecu.edu.au

Paola is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer within the School of Medical and Health Sciences, and the Exercise Medicine Research Institute.

Background

Dr Paola Chivers is a part-time Senior Lecturer and Biostatistician at the Institute for Health Research (IHR) at The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA). Her research focus centres on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and the subsequent reduction in health outcomes for these individuals and co-ordinates the bone health aspects of a longitudinal intervention study (AMPItUp). Dr Chivers provides biostatistician consultancy to the university (UNDA) and St John of God Hospital across a range of health topics, and conducts research methodology and statistical workshops for HDRs, clinicians and university staff. Dr Chivers also serves on the School of Health Sciences Research Committee at UNDA, is the research representative for the WA Country Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (WACHS HREC) and is a member of the WA DCD Research Collaboration (Move Grow Engage). Dr Paola Chivers is a co-founding member of Western Australian Bone Research Collaboration (WABRC); a cross-institutional and multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians investigating bone health and disease; and is a manuscript reviewer for clinical journals across paediatric, human movement, ageing, obesity, epidemiology and neuroscience themes. Dr. Chivers is an active researcher in addition to her principal role as a Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics, supervising six (5) postgraduate research students, with three (3) completions and ~18 peer reviewed articles published in clinical journals.

Professional Associations

  • The Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) (1992-)
  • West Australian College of Teaching (2005-)
  • Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (2010-)
  • Developmental Coordination Disorder Network of Western Australia (2014-)

Awards and Recognition

  • 2015 - Fresh Science UNDA representative
  • 2015 - University of Notre Dame Australia Professional Development Award (ASPIRE Program)
  • 2010 - RACGP Best Student Presentation Award, PHCRED Conference
  • 1992 - Award of Merit, The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation WA.

Research Areas and Interests

  • Biostatistics and Research Methodology
  • Developmental Coordination Disorder
  • Medicine and Health
  • Exercise and Human Movement

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame Australia, 2010.

Research Outputs

2023

Journal Articles

  • Hine, G., Forlin, C., Chivers, P. (2023). Influences on student decisions to enrol in higher-level mathematics courses. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 2023(Article in press), -. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-023-00467-9.
  • Tan, J., Ng, C., Hart, N., Rantalainen, T., Sim, M., Scott, D., Zhu, K., Chivers, P. (2023). Reduced Peak Bone Mass in Young Adults with Low Motor Competence. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 38(5), 665-677. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.4788.
  • Sarasjärvi, K., Chivers, P., Bhoyroo, R., Codde, J. (2023). Bouncing back from COVID-19: a Western Australian community perspective. Frontiers in Public Health, 11(TBD), article number 1216027. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1216027.
  • Piggott, B., Chivers, P., Sarasjarvi, KK., Bhoyroo, R., Lambert, M., Millar, L., Bulsara, C., Codde, J. (2023). Life In A Time Of Covid: Retrospective Examination Of The Association Between Physical Activity And Mental Well-Being In Western Australians During And After Lockdown. BMC Public Health, 23(1), article number 701. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15440-1.
  • Hughes, J., Chivers, P., Hoti, K. (2023). The Clinical Suitability of an Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Pain Assessment Tool for Use in Infants: Feasibility and Usability Evaluation Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(TBD), article number e41992. https://doi.org/10.2196/41992.
  • Murphy, M., Travers, M., Chivers, P., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Rio, E., Gibson, W., Ardern, C. (2023). Can we really say getting stronger makes your tendon feel better? No current evidence of a relationship between change in Achilles tendinopathy pain or disability and changes in Triceps Surae structure or function when completing rehabilitation: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 26(4-5), 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.03.007.
  • Heitz-Mayfield, LJ., Heitz, F., Koong, B., Huang, T., Chivers, P. (2023). Surgical Peri-Implantitis Treatment With And Without Guided Bone Regeneration. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2023(Article in Press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14116.
  • Hoti, K., Atee, M., Chivers, P., Vahia, I., Hughes, J. (2023). Technology-Guided Assessment Of Vocalisations And Their Diagnostic Value As Pain Indicators For People Living With Dementia. Age and Ageing, 52(6), article number afad088. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad088.
  • Shelley, J., Davin, L., Chivers, P., Davies, H. (2023). The impact of simulation on undergraduate nursing students’ confidence and learning satisfaction over time and practice: A pretest, post-test study design. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 2023(Article in Press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2023.04.017.
  • Piggott, B., Chivers, P., Bulsara, C., Conlon, J., Grigg, K., Harris, S., Lambert, M., Millar, L., Pollard, C. (2023). “I'm making a positive change in my life”: A mixed method evaluation of a well-being tertiary education unit. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 34(2), 518-529. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.613.
  • Murphy, M., Stannard, J., Sutton, V., Owen, PJ., Park, B., Chivers, P., Hart, N. (2023). Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injury in military recruits: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15(1), article number 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00755-8.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Dolci, F., Kilding, A., Spiteri, T., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Maiorana, A., Hart, N. (2022). Characterising running economy and change of direction economy between soccer players of different playing positions, levels and sex. European Journal of Sport Science, 22(8), 1167-1176. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1953151.
  • Down, M., Chivers, P., Kirsch, P., Picknoll, D. (2022). Wellbeing and nature connectedness for emerging adult undergraduates after a short expedition: A small pilot study. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33(3), 912-919. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.555.
  • Hoyne, Z., Cripps, A., Mosler, A., Joyce, C., Chivers, P., Chipchase, R., Murphy, M. (2022). Self-reported throwing volumes are not a valid tool for monitoring throwing loads in elite Australian Cricket players: an observational cohort study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25(10), 845-849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2022.06.008.
  • Murphy, M., Merrick, N., Mosler, A., Allen, G., Chivers, P., Hart, N. (2022). Cardiorespiratory fitness is a risk factor for lower-limb and back injury in law enforcement officers commencing their basic training: a prospective cohort study. Research in Sports Medicine, 2022(article in press), Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2022.2139618.
  • Tan, J., Ylä-Kojola, A., Eriksson, J., Salonen, M., Wasenius, N., Hart, N., Chivers, P., Rantalainen, T., Lano, A., Piitulainen, H. (2022). Effect of childhood developmental coordination disorder on adulthood physical activity; Arvo Ylppö longitudinal study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 32(6), 1050-1063. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14144.
  • Ng, C., Scott, D., Sim, M., Zhu, K., Siafarikas, A., Hart, N., Tan, J., Chivers, P. (2022). Physical Activity Estimated by Osteogenic Potential and Energy Expenditure Has Differing Associations with Bone Mass in Young Adults: The Raine Study. Archives of Osteoporosis, 17(1), Article Number 67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-022-01100-1.
  • Murphy, M., George, H., Naqi, M., Owen, P., Chivers, P., Hart, N. (2022). Musculoskeletal injury epidemiology in law enforcement and firefighter recruits during physical training: a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(1), Article Number e001289. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001289.
  • Murphy, M., Debenham, J., Bulsara, C., Chivers, P., Rio, E., Docking, S., Travers, M., Gibson, W. (2022). Assessment and monitoring of Achilles Tendinopathy in clinical practice: A qualitative descriptive exploration of the barrier’s clinicians face. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(2), Article Number e001355. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001355.
  • Tan, J., Murphy, M., Hart, N., Rantalainen, T., Bhoyroo, R., Chivers, P. (2022). Association of developmental coordination disorder and low motor competence with impaired bone health: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 129(October 2022), article number 104324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104324.
  • McCaskie, C., Siafarikas, A., Cochrane Wilkie, J., Sutton, V., Chivers, P., Hart, N., Murphy, M. (2022). The benefits to bone health in children and pre-school children with additional exercise interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 15(1), Article number 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010127.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Bakeberg, M., Gorecki, A., Kenna, J., Jefferson, A., Byrnes, M., Ghosh, S., Horne, M., McGregor, S., Stell, R., Walters, S., Chivers, P., Winter, S., Mastaglia, F., Anderton, R. (2021). Differential effects of sex on longitudinal patterns of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology, 268(5), 1903-1912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-10367-8.
  • Murphy, M., Rio, E., Chivers, P., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Travers, M., Gibson, W. (2021). Do people with unilateral mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy who participate in running-related physical activity exhibit a meaningful conditioned pain modulation (CPM) effect: a pilot study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24(5), 441-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.10.015.
  • Hoti, K., Chivers, P., Hughes, J. (2021). Assessing procedural pain in infants: a feasibility study evaluating a point-of-care mobile solution based on automated facial analysis. The Lancet Digital Health, 3(10), e623-e634. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00129-1.
  • Merrells, R., Madon, S., Chivers, P., Fournier, P. (2021). Nausea after Repeated Sprints: Is Lactic Acidosis Really the Culprit?. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(9), 1865-1872. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002667.
  • Rueter, K., Jones, A., Siafarikas, A., Chivers, P., Prescott, S., Palmer, D. (2021). The influence of sunlight exposure and sun protecting behaviours on allergic outcomes in early childhood. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), Article number 5429. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105429.
  • Dolci, F., Kilding, AE., Spiteri, T., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Maiorana, A., Hart, N. (2021). Modulators of Change-of-Direction Economy After Repeated Sprints in Elite Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(11), 1649-1655. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2020-0740.
  • Rajadurai, V., Chivers, P., Ayres, C., Mohan, G., Stewart, C., Leung, Y., Wan, K., Cohen, P. (2021). Predictors of endometrial carcinoma in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia at a tertiary gynaecological cancer centre in Western Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 61(2), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13300.
  • Dolci, F., Kilding, A., Spiteri, T., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Maiorana, A., Hart, N. (2021). High-intensity Interval Training Shock Microcycle Improves Running Performance but not Economy in Female Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(08), 740-748. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1302-8002.
  • Tan, J., Hart, N., Rantalainen, T., Chivers, P. (2021). Association between developmental coordination disorder or low motor competence, and risk of impaired bone health across the lifespan: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 19(5), 1202-1210. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00112.
  • Murphy, M., Gibson, W., Chivers, P., Docking, S., Rio, E. (2021). Considerations for multi-centre conditioned pain modulation (CPM) research; an investigation of the inter-rater reliability, level of agreement and confounders for the Achilles tendon and Triceps Surae. British Journal of Pain, 15(1), 91-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/2049463720912208.
  • Doleman, G., Twigg, D., Bayes, S., Chivers, P. (2021). Paediatric nurses’ satisfaction with organisational communication, job satisfaction, and intention to stay: A structural equation modelling analysis. Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research, 28(4), 376-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2020.11.005.
  • Bhoyroo, R., Chivers, P., Millar, L., Bulsara, C., Piggott, B., Lambert, M., Codde, J. (2021). Life in a time of COVID: a mixed method study of the changes in lifestyle, mental and psychosocial health during and after lockdown in Western Australians. BMC Public Health, 21(1), article number 1947. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11971-7.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Dolci, F., Kilding, A., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Hart, N. (2020). High-Intensity Interval Training Shock Microcycle for Enhancing Sport Performance: A Brief Review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(4), 1188-1196. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003499.
  • Harris, S., Chivers, P., McIntyre, F., Piggott, B., Bulsara, M., Farringdon, F. (2020). Exploring the association between recent concussion, subconcussive impacts and depressive symptoms in male Australian Football players. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1), Article number e000655. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000655.
  • Hart, N., Newton, R., Weber, J., Spiteri, T., Rantalainen, T., Dobbin, M., Chivers, P., Nimphius, S. (2020). Functional basis of asymmetrical lower-body skeletal morphology in professional Australian Rules Footballers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(3), 791-799. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002841.
  • Cohen, P., Leung, Y., Anderson, L., Van Der Griend, R., Chivers, P., Bilic, S., Bittinger, S., Brand, A., Bulsara, M., Codde, J., Eva, L., Farrell, L., Harker, D., Herbst, U., Jeffares, S., Loh, D., McNally, O., Mohan, G., Nicholson, T., Powell, A., Salfinger, S., Simcock, B., Stewart, C., Silvers, J., Stockler, M., Sykes, P., Stoyles, P., Tan, A., Tan, AL., Wrede, CD. (2020). Excisional treatment comparison for in situ endocervical adenocarcinoma (EXCISE): A phase 2 pilot randomized controlled trial to compare histopathological margin status, specimen size and fragmentation after loop electrosurgical excision procedure and cold knife cone biopsy. Gynecologic Oncology, 159(3), 623-629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.053.
  • Lowe, E., Picknoll, D., Chivers, P., Farringdon, F., Rycroft, P. (2020). Teacher-directed violence by students in western australia: An exploratory study. Issues in Educational Research, 30(1), 187-202.
  • Tan, J., Siafarikas, A., Rantalainen, T., Hart, N., McIntyre, F., Hands, B., Chivers, P. (2020). Impact of a multimodal exercise program on tibial bone health in adolescents with Development Coordination Disorder: an examination of feasibility and potential efficacy. The Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 20(4), 445-471.
  • Piggott, B., Muller, S., Chivers, P., Cripps, A., Hoyne, G. (2020). Interdisciplinary Sport Research Can Better Predict Competition Performance, Identify Individual Differences, and Quantify Task Representation. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2(Feb 2020), Article number 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00014.
  • Jenkins, M., Hart, N., Nimphius, S., Chivers, P., Rantalainen, T., Rothacker, K., Beck, B., Weeks, B., McIntyre, F., Hands, B., Beeson, B., Siafarikas, A. (2020). Characterisation of peripheral bone mineral density in youth at risk of secondary osteoporosis - a preliminary insight. The Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 20(1), 27-52.
  • Dolci, F., Hart, N., Kilding, A., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Spiteri, T. (2020). Physical and energetic demand of soccer: A brief review. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 42(3), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000533.
  • Murphy, M., Chivers, P., Mahoney, K., Mosler, A. (2020). Risk factors for dominant-shoulder injury in elite female Australian cricket players: A prospective study. Translational Sports Medicine, 3(5), 404-414. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsm2.158.
  • Hart, N., Newton, R., Tan, J., Rantalainen, T., Chivers, P., Siafarikas, A., Nimphius, S. (2020). Biological Basis of Bone Strength: Anatomy, Physiology and Measurement. The Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 20(3), 347-371.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Travers, M., Murphy, M., Debenham, J., Chivers, P., Bulsara, M., Bagg, M., Palsson, T., Gibson, W. (2019). Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 1: exploring treatment effect and trustworthiness. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(23), 1488-1492. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099958.
  • Chivers, P., Rantalainen, T., McIntyre, F., Hands, B., Weeks, B., Beck, B., Nimphius, S., Hart, N., Siafarikas, A. (2019). Suboptimal bone status for adolescents with low motor competence and developmental coordination disorder - it's sex specific. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 84(January 2019), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2018.07.010.
  • Lambert, M., Chivers, P., Farringdon, F. (2019). In their own words: A qualitative study exploring influences on the food choices of university students. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 30(1), 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.180.
  • Travers, M., Murphy, M., Debenham, J., Chivers, P., Bulsara, M., Bagg, M., Palsson, T., Gibson, W. (2019). Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 2: exploring the role of the comparator, diversity, risk of bias and confidence. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(23), 1493-1497. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099959.
  • Merrells, R., Cripps, A., Chivers, P., Fournier, P. (2019). Role of lactic acidosis as a mediator of sprint-mediated nausea. Physiological Reports, 7(21), Article number 14283. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14283.
  • Murphy, M., Travers, M., Chivers, P., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Rio, E., Gibson, W. (2019). Efficacy of heavy eccentric calf training for treating mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(17), 1070-1077. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099934.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Dolci, F., Hart, N., Kilding, A., Chivers, P., Piggott, B., Spiteri, T. (2018). Movement economy in soccer: current data and limitations. Sports, 6(4), article no.124. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6040124.
  • Jenkins, M., Nimphius, S., Hart, N., Chivers, P., Rantalainen, T., Rueter, K., Borland, M., McIntyre, F., Stannage, K., Siafarikas, A. (2018). Appendicular fracture epidemiology of children and adolescents: A 10-year case review in Western Australia (2005 to 2015). Archives of Osteoporosis, 13(1), article no.63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-018-0478-9.
  • Jenkins, M., Hart, N., Rantalainen, T., Chivers, P., Newton, R., Nimphius, S. (2018). Reliability of upper-limb diaphyseal mineral and soft-tissue measurements using peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). The Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 18(4), 438-445.
  • Murphy, M., Travers, M., Gibson, W., Chivers, P., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Rio, E. (2018). Rate of Improvement of Pain and Function in Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy with Loading Protocols: A Systematic Review and Longitudinal Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 48(8), 1875-1891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0932-2.
  • Wadia, U., Soon, W., Chivers, P., Thambiran, A., Burgner, D., Cherian, S., Siafarikas, A. (2018). Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Daily Versus Depot Vitamin D3 Therapy in 0-16-Year-Old Newly Settled Refugees in Western Australia Over a Period of 40 Weeks. Nutrients, 10(3), Article number 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10030348.

2015

Journal Articles

  • Hecimovich, M., Murphy, M., Chivers, P., Stock, P. (2015). Evaluation and utility of the King-Devick with integrated Eye Tracking as a diagnostic tool for Sport-Related Concussion. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 356(1-2), P97-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.021.

Research Projects

  • Western Australia Police Force Recruit Injury Rates, Physical Performance Capacity and Completion Rates, WA Police , Grant, 2023 ‑ 2024, $7,500.
  • Predicting operational skill proficiency of para-military recruits using baseline physical performance data., Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Defence Science Research Higher Degree Student Grant, 2023 ‑ 2024, $10,000.
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