PhD Research Activities
2026 — Project Military Hoku-Sky. Study of two different ski training methods for the basic skiing instruction of Alpine Army recruits. The two training methods compared outdoor on-slope training versus simulated skiing on the Hoku indoor ski treadmill. In particular, I trained and supervised junior researchers in conducting this data collection and in their first approach to research in the military domain. The study involved cross-group research collaboration: training analyses were combined with saliva and urine sample analyses, psychological questionnaires, performance testing, and video and motion-analysis evaluation.
2025 — Project Campo Alta Quota 2025 (High Altitude Field Project). Research carried out in collaboration with the Alpine Training Centre (Centro di Addestramento Alpino) in Aosta and the Alpine Brigade Corps of the Italian Army. Building on previous editions of the Campo Alta Quota project, the aims of this new edition are: 1) to assess how extremely cold temperatures affect occupational performance after different sustained working tasks; 2) to evaluate caffeine supplementation at high altitude in military personnel during glacier patrolling activities, with the goal of reducing fatigue in these subjects.
2024 — Project MitAlp. Study of two training methodologies applied to 160 new recruits of the Alpine Army. Cross-group research collaboration with subsequent analysis of field exercises: speed march, shooting, target practice, and a final mountain warfare exercise. Training analyses were combined with saliva and urine sample analyses, psychological questionnaires, and performance testing.
2023 – ongoing — Project Latitude. Collaboration with the VIPER research group at the Royal Military Academy of Brussels. Effects on sleep caused by photoperiod variation and individual characteristics in populations living at extreme latitudes. Participation in four data collections in Tromsø (Norway) to investigate the topics outlined above. Assessment of long-term effects in local populations, specifically during sensitive periods — full daylight and complete darkness.
2023 – 2024 — Project Campo Alta Quota 2023–24. Research in collaboration with the Alpine Corps of the Italian Army on military fatigue at high altitude.
Conference and Event Participation
2025 — XVI SISMES Congress, Parma. Oral presentation of the study "High-Intensity Functional Training compared to Traditional Military Physical Training adaptations in Alpine soldiers." Spinabelli Sara, Ranuncoli Cristina, Mrakic-Sposta Simona, Nava Consuelo, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2025 — International Military Psychology Conference (IMPC), Antwerp. Oral presentation "COGNITIVE AND PERCEIVED FATIGUE DURING MILITARY OPERATIONS IN HYPOXIC-COLD ENVIRONMENT" within the symposium "Sleep and fatigue in military operations." Spinabelli Sara, Elipanni Lorenzo, Ranuncoli Cristina, Martinez-Gonzalez Borja, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2025 — XXXI Congress of the Italian Association of Psychology – Experimental Section, Turin. Oral presentation "COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE INDUCED BY MILITARY OPERATIONS IN ISOLATED AND COLD ENVIRONMENT (ICE)" within the symposium "The Psychology of Space Exploration and Extreme Environments." Spinabelli Sara, Martinez-Gonzalez Borja, Elipanni Lorenzo, Ranuncoli Cristina, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2025 — 30th ECSS Congress, Rimini. Oral presentation of the study "COGNITIVE FATIGUE INDUCED BY MILITARY OPERATIONS IN HYPOXIC AND COLD ENVIRONMENT." Spinabelli Sara, Elipanni Lorenzo, Martinez-Gonzalez Borja, Ranuncoli Cristina, Mrakic-Sposta Simona, Pratali Lorenza, Nava Consuelo, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2025 — Workshop "Isolation/confinement studies for human space exploration," Italian Space Agency (ASI), Rome. Oral presentation of the study "COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL FATIGUE INDUCED BY MILITARY OPERATIONS IN HYPOXIC AND COLD ENVIRONMENT." Spinabelli Sara, Elipanni Lorenzo, Martinez-Gonzalez Borja, Ranuncoli Cristina, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2024 — "Young Researcher" award session, XV SISMES Congress, Chieti-Pescara. Oral presentation in the "Young Researcher" award session of the study "PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE FATIGABILITY DURING MILITARY TRAINING AT HIGH ALTITUDE." Spinabelli Sara, Martinez-Gonzalez Borja, Ranuncoli Cristina, Marcora Samuele Maria.
2023 — ECSS Congress, Paris. Poster presentation of the study "Effect of age and training prescription on the acute responses to training in young Italian Rugby Union players." S. Spinabelli, F. Nigro, S. Marcora.
2022 — "Young Researcher" award session, XIII SISMES Congress, Milan. Oral presentation in the "Young Researcher" award session of the study "Effect of age and training prescription on the acute responses to training in young Italian Rugby Union players." S. Spinabelli, F. Nigro, S. Marcora.
Previous Work Experience
2022–2023 — Physical Education Teacher at Sorbolo Lower Secondary School (RE), Vallisneri Lower Secondary School in Scandiano (RE), and Gobetti Upper Secondary School in Scandiano (RE).
2022 — Head of the Valorugby Summer Camp at Valorugby Emilia.
2019–2022 — Rugby coach, minirugby category, at Valorugby Emilia.
2019–2021 — Rugby athletic trainer, youth category U14–U18, at Valorugby Emilia.
2016–2018 — Volleyball coach and assistant coach, youth category U14–U18, at Volley Tricolore Reggio Emilia.
Education and Training
2023 – ongoing — PhD in "Sport, Health and Wellbeing" at Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna.
2019–2022 — LM-68 Master's Degree in Sport Sciences and Techniques, 110 cum Laude.
2016–2019 — L-22 Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Motor Sciences.
2010–2015 — Diploma in Applied Sciences at G. Marconi Upper Secondary School, Parma.
Certifications
2023 — IELTS English Certification, score 7.5, fully B2.
2020 — 24 ECTS Certification for teaching in the Italian school system.
2019–2020 — Minirugby coaching certification from the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).
2019–2020 — Rugby athletic-trainer certification (children, adolescents and adults) from the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).
2015–2016 — Base-level and Level 1 volleyball-coaching certification from the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV).
