Marlize DeVivo

Marlize graduated from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) with an undergraduate degree in Human Movement Science and an honours degree in Biokinetics. She practised as a registered Biokineticist (i.e. specialised exercise therapist) serving various clinical and athletic populations before relocating to the UK. Marlize then completed a MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Science with distinction at Staffordshire University. In 2012, she was awarded a Graduate School scholarship to conduct a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science at Canterbury Christ Church University. Marlize delivered a multiphase research project with the aim of understanding and predicting the physical activity behaviour of pregnant women. Through this and other related research activities, she established physical activity during pregnancy as a research theme at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Dr De Vivo’s main research interest and endeavour involves the promotion and support of active pregnancies and normalising this behaviour in the wider society. Recently, this involved updating the Exercise Works! teaching resources in line with the Department of Health’s (2017) new guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy.

In her role as postgraduate research fellow, Marlize is involved in various projects related to physical activity and health. She is currently involved in the European funded (Interreg 2 Seas) Diabetes and Wellbeing (DWELL) project which aims to empower individuals to self-manage their type 2 diabetes through education, nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing activities.

In addition to her research engagements, Dr De Vivo is also a practising Sports Rehabilitator and Trainer (GSR) registered with the British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT). Marlize provides consultancy services through SportsLab and has a particular interest in injury prevention and final phase rehabilitation. She works in collaboration with Sports Scientists, Physiotherapists, and Strength and Conditioning Coaches to ensure the best possible outcomes for athletes.

Research Projects

Development and feasibility of a swimming programme as a rehabilitation modality for people with chronic low back pain: A mixed methods project.. Researcher(s): Mrs Helen Oakes. Supervisor(s): Dr Marlize DeVivo, Dr Hayley Mills, Professor David Stephensen. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Educational campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers in enjoying and benefiting from an active lifestyle. Insight report.. Researcher(s): Dr Marlize DeVivo. [Project report]
Evaluating Mums’ Zone: a combined intervention of physical activity and social support for new mums.. Researcher(s): Dr Marlize DeVivo, Dr Hayley Mills. [Project report]
MOMentum lost: Unpicking maternal physical activity patterns. Researcher(s): Dr Marlize DeVivo, Dr Hayley Mills. [Project report]
Physical activity advice and guidance offered during fertility treatment. Researcher(s): Miss Stacey Draper. Supervisor(s): Dr Marlize DeVivo, Dr Hayley Mills. [Postgraduate Research Project]

Exploring provision and impact of physical activity advice and guidance offered to women undergoing fertility treatment Draper, S., DeVivo, M., Mills, H., Preconception Health Network Conference. [Speech]
Exploring provision and impact of physical activity advice and guidance offered to women undergoing fertility Treatment Draper, S., DeVivo, M., Mills, H., Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network 2024. [Speech]
Survey of the barriers, enablers and preferences to swimming for people with chronic lower back pain Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D., Mills, H., (11 Jul 2024): Wolters Kluwer, APTA Aquatic Physical Therapy. [Journal article]
Clinical and exercise professional opinion of return-to-running readiness after childbirth: an international Delphi study and consensus statement. Christopher, S., Donnelly, Gráinne, Brockwell, Emma, Bo, Kari, Davenport, M., DeVivo, M., Dufour, Sinead, Forner, L., Mills, H., Moore, I., Olson, Amanda, Deering, R., (26 Dec 2023): BMJ Publishing Group. [Journal article]
Embedding physical activity guidance during pregnancy and in postpartum care: ‘This Mum Moves’ enhances professional practice of midwives and health visitors Taylor, K., De Vivo, Marlize, Mills, Hayley, Hurst, Phil, Draper, S., Foad, Abby, (24 Jul 2023): Wiley. [Journal article]
Recommending swimming to people with low back pain: a scoping review Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Mills, H., Stephensen, D., (31 Aug 2023): Elsevier. [Journal article]
Impact of heavy resistance training on pregnancy and postpartum health outcomes. Prevett, Christina, Kimber, Miranda L., Forner, Lori, de Vivo, Marlize, Davenport, M., (04 Nov 2022). [Journal article]
Laying the foundation for pregnancy physical activity profiling: A framework for providing tailored physical Activity advice and guidance to pregnant women DeVivo, M., Mills, H., (03 Jun 2021): MDPI. [Journal article]
Managing flare-ups: The experience of a group of swimmers with persistent low back pain Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D., Mills, H., (01 Feb 2022): Elsevier. [Journal article]
Pool closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on low back pain management Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D., Mills, H., BritSpine. [Conference poster]
2019 Women in Sport and Exercise Conference abstracts: Introducing This Mum Moves: an educational campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers in enjoying and benefiting from an active lifestyle DeVivo, M., Mills, H., (Apr 2020): Human Kinetics. [Journal article]
Encouraging physical activity during and after pregnancy in the COVID-19 era, and beyond Atkinson, L., DeVivo, M., Hayes, L., Hesketh, K. R., Mills, H., Newham, J. J., Olander, E. K., Smith, D. M., (07 Oct 2020): MDPI. [Journal article]
Exercise professionals' confidence in engaging women to be physically active during pregnancy Draper, S., DeVivo, M., Mills, H., Women in Sport and Exercise. [Conference poster]
Infographic. Guidance for medical, health and fitness professionals to support women in returning to running postnatally Donnelly, G. M., Rankin, A., Mills, H., DeVivo, M., Goom, T., Brockwell, E. [Journal article]
Pregnancy in the female athlete - Part 1: antenatal Pitchers, G., Elliot-Sale, K., DeVivo, M., Donelon, T., Mills, H., Brockwell, E., Donnelly, G.: UKSCA. [Journal article]
Scoping review: should physiotherapists recommend swimming to patients with low back pain and is further research indicated Oakes, H., Mills, H., DeVivo, M., Stephensen, D., (01 May 2020, 19 Jun 2020): Elsevier. [Journal article]
“They turn to you first for everything”: insights into midwives’ perspectives of providing physical activity advice and guidance to pregnant women. De Vivo, M., Mills, H., (03 Dec 2019): Springer Nature. [Journal article]
Physical activity during and beyond pregnancy: The importance of consistent and clear messages Mills, H., DeVivo, M., British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. [Conference paper]
Should physiotherapists recommend swimming to patients with low back pain (LBP) and is further research warrented? Oakes, H., DeVivo, M., Mills, H., Stephensen, D, Physiotheraphy UK. [Conference poster]

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marlize.devivo@canterbury.ac.uk

01227921939

Dr Marlize DeVivo

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