Post by Southern Cross University

In the race to Brisbane 2032, Southern Cross University is partnering with elite sporting organisations to drive research that could help deliver Australia’s next sprinting medals. Graduate researchers James Aggett and Georgia Collins (pictured) have been awarded co-funded scholarships through Southern Cross University and Australian Athletics, embedding their work within elite training environments to deliver applied, real-world impact for the nation’s sprint program. James’s research focuses on optimising pre-race preparation, including warm-up strategies and passive heat maintenance to improve physiological readiness. Georgia is enhancing the understanding of training and event demands. Together, their work targets the marginal gains that often determine podium finishes. This initiative is a collaboration between Southern Cross University’s Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Research Theme (PASER), Australian Athletics, the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and the NSW Institute of Sport, with both students working directly with elite athletes in high-performance settings. Associate Professor Chris Stevens, SCU supervisor for the projects, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to impactful, industry-aligned research. “Our goal is to support coaches and athletes with actionable insights that help them arrive at the start line healthy and in an optimal state to perform for Australia.”