Dr Chris Gaviglio

Biography

Dr. Chris Gaviglio is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning within the School of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland. He plays a key role in the Master of Strength and Conditioning program, contributing to curriculum development and educating future strength and conditioning professionals. His academic work is informed by over two decades of applied experience in elite sport, bringing practical insights into athlete preparation, performance enhancement, and rehabilitation strategies.

Before transitioning into academia, Chris worked extensively in elite and professional sport, holding roles as a Physical Performance Manager and Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach. As a Physical Performance Manager, he oversaw integrated performance programs for high-performance teams, leading areas such as strength and power development, injury prevention, recovery, and competition-day strategies. His expertise extended to velocity-based training, warm-up protocols, and athlete monitoring systems.

As a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chris worked across multiple professional and Olympic sporting codes, including roles with the Queensland Academy of Sport, Queensland Maroons (State of Origin Rugby League), Wallabies (Australian National Rugby Union), Gold Coast SUNS (AFL), and Bath Rugby (UK). He has also provided strength and conditioning support to Olympians Cedric Dubler (Decathlon) and Jacqui Naracott (Skeleton), who won silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, making history as Australia’s first-ever winter sliding medallist.

Chris has been a leader in the practical application of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, systematically integrating it into both rehabilitation and performance settings over the past 15 years. His contributions to BFR research include authoring the AIS Blood Flow Restriction Training Guideline and publishing work on its effects on power and strength performance. He is also provides educational workshops, further bridging the gap between scientific research and applied coaching practice.

Employment

Expertise

Dr. Gaviglio’s research focuses on the practical implementation of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, velocity-based training, power and strength development, and competition-day strategies for high-performance athletes. His applied experience informs his research, bridging the gap between coaching methodologies and scientific inquiry.

Current Projects:

1. Resilient Paramedics – Investigating the role of strength training for paramedicine students, examining its effects on physical readiness, resilience, job preparedness, and the ability to cope with mental and academic stress.

2. Protect-2-Win – Part of the Athlete Empowered Project, studying the effects of neck strengthening on concussion risk in school-aged athletes participating in contact sports.

3. The role of BFR training in upper-body power development – Exploring how BFR influences strength and velocity-based performance.

4. Warm-up and competition-day strategies for elite athletes – Investigating evidence-based approaches to enhance performance and injury prevention.

Potential graduate students interested in any of the following projects should email or phone:

1. BFR Training Projects – Investigating novel applications of Blood Flow Restriction training for athlete and general special populations.

2. Protect-2-Win – Researching the impact of neck strengthening on concussion prevention in contact sports.

Teaching

SES3399 - Sport and Exercise science Professional Placement

SES3206 - Strength Training & Conditioning

SES1002 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise

SES3001- Exercise Prescription & Delivery 2

Professional Membership