From the arenas to the lecture hall: who is Davide Grigoletto?

In the world of volleyball, few names carry as much weight as Davide Grigoletto. So much so that, behind the scenes of the sport’s biggest arenas, he’s earned the nickname “the Pope of athletic preparation”, a title that’s as affectionate as it is reverent. And it’s no accident.

With nearly 30 years of experience spanning clubs and national teams, league titles and Champions League campaigns, Grigoletto now serves as the athletic trainer for Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza, one of the most ambitious clubs on the Italian volleyball scene. But that’s not all: Grigoletto is also a university lecturer and researcher, blending hands-on experience with applied science in a rare and powerful combination.

“I’ve had the privilege of working at the highest levels, including with Trento, when we won both the Scudetto and the Champions League,” he says. “But what really defines me today is this dual role: working on the court with athletes, and in the academic world through research and teaching.”

It’s this dual identity – science and practice – that sets his approach apart. Because it’s not just about training the athlete’s body. It’s about preparing the entire system, body and mind, to perform at its best.

Training off the field: the real X factor

When we think of athletic training, our minds often go straight to intense workouts in the gym. But one of the things Davide Grigoletto consistently emphasizes is that, in 2025, performance isn’t just determined within the four lines of the court.

“What happens off the court matters even more,” he explains. “Stress levels, mood, sleep quality... everything plays a role. That’s why we work closely with a sports psychologist. He’s a core part of our team, and we meet at least once a week.”

Even the concept of injury prevention has evolved. “I don’t like to talk about prevention, but about minimising the risk as much as possible,” Grigoletto says. “You can’t predict or fully prevent accidental injuries, like falls or contact, but when it comes to overload injuries, we can make a real difference, drastically reducing the risk of load-related issues and improving how we manage training on a daily basis.”

It all comes down to listening, data and customisation. And that’s especially true over the course of a long and demanding club season.

Preparation that evolves with the season

For a team like Gas Sales Bluenergy, athletic preparation is never static. Throughout the year, training loads shift, they adapt and evolve.

It starts with summer conditioning, moves through the regular season, and ramps up for the playoffs.

“Pre-season is all about building strength, endurance and the athletic foundation,” says Grigoletto. “Once the regular season begins, the goal is to maintain form while avoiding overloads that could impact performance.”

But everything changes when the playoffs arrive. “We focus on tailored recovery strategies and managing physical stress,” Grigoletto explains. “At that point, it’s all about adapting to each individual and their immediate performance needs, which might mean manual therapy with the physio, physical treatments with specific equipment, or relaxation techniques learned during sessions with the psychologist.”

And the approach shifts once again when working with the national team. “During the club season, there are days, or even weeks, when you can take a breather. Recovery is possible,” says Grigoletto. “The pace in the national team is intense: we live together, have little room for error, and everything comes down to just a few days. It’s a different kind of sport, in many ways.”

Experience and data: the foundation of modern training

Where trainers once relied solely on their expert eye and experience, data has now become an indispensable tool.

“We track everything that happens on the court: loads, movements, accelerations, and off the court as well: sleep quality, stress levels, and autonomic nervous system indicators,” Grigoletto explains. “The goal is to build a full picture of the athlete.”

But this isn’t just data for data’s sake. These numbers guide decisions, shape bespoke training plans, and help prevent potential issues before they arise.

Grigoletto strongly believes in the synergy between experience and technology.

“When you combine expertise with solid data, the improvement is clear,” he says. “And athletes feel it too: they trust a method grounded in evidence, not just gut feelings.”

The role of Cetilar® Nutrition in performance and recovery

In Grigoletto’s scientific and integrated approach, nutrition and supplementation have become key components of performance and recovery.

That’s where the team’s partnership with Cetilar® Nutrition comes into play: the supplements in the product line support the club’s daily efforts, both during performance and in post-workout recovery.

“Training sessions can last over two hours, so athletes need energy that’s readily available and easy to absorb,” explains Grigoletto. “If a product is digestible and well-tolerated even under physical stress – as is the case with Ultrarace Carb – then it becomes an integral and strategic part of our work plan.”

But it’s in the recovery phase where Grigoletto sees the greatest value in the collaboration with Cetilar® Nutrition.

Take Night Restore, a supplement designed to promote sleep and accelerate muscle recovery. “We use it to improve sleep quality,” he says. “Sleeping well makes a huge difference to recovery and the ability to train effectively.” Another essential supplement is Apportal®, particularly helpful after long flights or intense travel. “It’s been really well received by the players,” notes Grigoletto. “It tastes good, and it genuinely supports the immune system.”

Building long-lived athletes: technology at the service of the person

It’s no longer just about winning matches: the real challenge today is helping athletes extend their careers and protect their long-term well-being.

“In the past, athletes didn’t always understand the importance of proper nutrition or maintaining the right lifestyle off the court,” Grigoletto recalls. “Now, with greater awareness and targeted support like supplementation, I have 38-year-old players on my team still performing at the highest level. With a holistic approach to performance, it’s definitely possible.”

But technology on its own isn’t enough. Data is crucial, but the heart of this work is still human.

“It’s never just about the numbers. You’re not just training a body—you’re training a person. Listening, empathy and human connection are what truly make the difference.”

Extending careers, reducing injury risk, enhancing athletes’ quality of life. Every day, every detail, every data point collected brings the team one step closer to these goals.

And it’s precisely in this balance between science, humanity and passion that Davide Grigoletto continues to pursue excellence.

Conclusion

With his unique blend of experience in the field and at university, Davide Grigoletto stands as a leading figure in the new era of high-performance sport.

His approach goes beyond physical training: it’s a mindset, a scientific framework and a vision. And thanks to partners like Cetilar® Nutrition, more and more athletes now have access to the tools they need to train better, recover faster and last longer.

🏐 5 things to remember about Davide Grigoletto’s approach

1. Performance extends beyond the court

Nutrition, sleep, stress: these are the real game-changers for an athlete.

2. Overload injuries can be reduced

Personalised workloads and daily monitoring make it possible to drastically lower the risk.

3. Data doesn’t replace experience, it strengthens it

Sensors and technology are only useful when combined with expert insight and a human perspective.

4. Recovery is invisible training

Supplements like Night Restore and Apportal® support sleep, immune function and muscle recovery.

5. Training isn’t just about building muscle, it’s about building long-lasting careers

The final goal? Stronger, healthier and, above all, more self-aware athletes.