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    • Associate Professor Paola Chivers
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    • Associate Professor Paola Chivers

      Associate Professor Paola Chivers

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Associate Professor Paola Chivers

Adjunct Associate Professor

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

Paola is an Adjunct Associate Professor within the School of Medical and Health Sciences.

Background

Paola brings over 25 years of expertise in health research and education, emphasizing data-driven leadership to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and innovations. Her extensive background spans research governance, ethics, development, and support, alongside leadership, education, and training in research.

Currently serving as the Manager of Research Support and Development at the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) in Western Australia, Paola leads a team dedicated to operationalizing research initiatives among clinical staff focused on infants, children, and adolescents.  Additionally, Paola is the Principal Owner of DATaR Consulting, a specialized consultancy offering expert statistical and research design support and training, with a focus on health and education.

Previously, as Deputy Director of the Institute for Health Research at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Paola directed strategic initiatives, operations, and collaborations aimed at enhancing health outcomes and services for diverse populations as well as serving as Chair or member across numerous university governance committees. She co-founded the Western Australian Bone Research Collaboration, fostering multidisciplinary research into bone health and disease.

Paola also contributes as a manuscript reviewer for clinical journals across paediatric, human movement, ageing, obesity, epidemiology, and neuroscience themes. Paola served on the statistical advisory board for Clinical Oral Implants Research journal.  Paola supervised to completion nine postgraduate higher degree research students, many physiotherapy and health science honours students with over 75 peer reviewed articles published in clinical journals.

Professional Associations

  • West Australian College of Teaching (2005-)
  • Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (2010-)
  • Developmental Coordination Disorder Network of Western Australia (2014-)
  • Australian Institute for Company Directors (2024-)

Research Areas and Interests

  • Research Management
  • 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

2024

Journal Articles

  • Skoss, R., Chivers, P., Arendts, G., Bulsara, C., Vithiatharan, R., Codde, J. (2024). What supports are people with intellectual disability living in group homes provided to access health care? A case study. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 2024(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12601.

2023

Journal Articles

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

2022

Journal Articles

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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., 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.

2021

Journal Articles

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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., 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

2020

Journal Articles

  • 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. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/9396.
  • 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.
  • 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. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/7775.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/7820.
  • 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., 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. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/8650.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

2018

Journal Articles

  • 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.
  • 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. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/4683.
  • 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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