I am a CORU registered and chartered physiotherapist currently in the 3rd year of my PhD with the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science (SPHPSS) In UCD. My area of research is focused upon exercise prescription and obesity with the aim of improving the management of this chronic disease. I am a founding member of SPHPSS’s newsletter team and a member of the Association for the Study of Obesity in Ireland (ASOI) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Early Career Network. Additionally, I am the Practice Tutor/Special Lecturer in Physiotherapy for the Physiotherapy Hub on UCD campus.
- Year of PhD: 2019-2022 (Year 3)
- Supervisor(s): Grainne O’Donoghue, Catherine Blake (second
- Title of PhD Investigating different exercise prescriptions for improving cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry, strength and self-reported outcomes in women living with obesity
PhD Summary
The overarching aim of my PhD is to conduct research that will generate evidence and advance knowledge regarding the design and feasibility of optimal exercise intervention(s) to increase fitness and improve strength, body composition and other outcomes (i.e. pain, quality of life, mood, etc.) in women living with obesity. My research involves the delivery of a 12-week 4-arm parallel supervised exercise pilot trial which compares the effectiveness of aerobic, resistance and combined exercise for changing these outcomes in this cohort.
Publications
Davis, M.E., Blake, C., Cunningham, C. et al. Comparison of time-matched aerobic, resistance or combined exercise training in women living with obesity: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial—the EXOFFIT (Exercise for Obesity in Females to increase Fitness) study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 8, 42 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01003-5
Davis ME, Blake C, Perrotta C, Cunningham C, O’Donoghue G. Impact of training modes on fitness and body composition in women with obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity. 2022 Feb;30(2):300-19.
Davis M, Blake C, Perrotta C, Cunningham C, O'Donoghue G. Impact of different training modalities/intensities on cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry of women living with obesity: Oral Presentation B7. 6. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada. 2021;14(3).
Presentations
Platform
Davis, M. E. et al. (2021). Impact of different training modalities/intensities on cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry of women living with obesity. Oral Presentation at the 8th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) Congress [online], 13th October 2021.
Davis, M. E. et al. (2021). Impact of training modes on fitness and anthropometry in women with obesity. Oral Presentation at the Universitas 21 Health Sciences Group Annual Meeting 2021 – Doctoral Forum [online], 13th September 2021.
Poster
Davis, M. E. et al. (2022). Comparison of time-matched aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise training in women living with obesity: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Poster Presentation at the EASO ECN Winter School 2021, Royal Continental Hotel, Naples, Italy, 8th February 2022.
Prizes / awards
April 2022 ZoomForward22 European Congress on Obesity (Funded attendance by ASOI).European Congress on Obesity 4th-7th May 2022, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Jan 2022 EASO ECN Delegate (Funded attendance to Winter School) European Association for the Study of Obesity Early Career Network
July 2021 Union of Students Ireland – Irish Research Council (USI-IRC) Why Research Matters – ‘Most Informative’ Prize. Union of Students Ireland with the Irish Research Council
March 2022 Featured as an PhD researcher during the Irish Research Council’s International Women’s Day Campaign in response to winning USI-IRC Why Research Matters Award 2021