First Responder Research Column – Understanding the Stress Response Following Occupational Exposures among First Responders
by Sarah Hines, Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, and Emily Langford, PhD, CSCS,*D
TSAC Report
February 2026
Vol 80, Issue 1
This TSAC Report article discusses incorporating stress inoculation to help first responders reduce stress response and expedite recovery following occupational training.
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This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
REFERENCES
- Coehoorn, CJ, Neary, JP, Krigolson, OE, Service, TW, and Stuart-Hill, LA. Firefighter salivary cortisol responses following rapid heat stress. Journal of Thermal Biology 108: 103305, 2022.
- Giessing, L, Frenkel, MO, Zinner, C, Rummel, J, Nieuwenhuys, A, Kasperk C, et al. Effects of coping-related traits and psychophsyiological stress responses on police recruits’ shooting behavior in reality-based scenarios. Frontiers in Psychology 10: 1523, 2019.
- Gonzalez, DE, Dillard, CC, Johnson, SE, Martin, SE, and McAllister, MJ. Physiological stress responses to a live-fire training evolution in career structural firefighters. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 66(6): 475-480, 2024.
- Groer, M, Murphy, R, Bunnell, W, Salomon, K, Van Eepoel, J, Rankin, B, et al. Salivary measures of stress and immunity in police officers engaged in simulated critical incident scenarios. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 52: 595-602, 2010.
- Guerra, BC, Martin, SE, Colvin, LC, Dawes, JJ, McAllister, MJ, and Gonzales, DE. Firefighters versus law enforcement officers: A comparison of cardiovascular disease risk. International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 659-671, 2025.
- Huang, CJ, Webb, HE, Zourdos, MC, and Acecedo, EO. Cardiovascular reactivity, stress, and physical activity. Frontiers in Physiology 4: 314, 2013.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 2023. Retrieved September 2025 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257.
- McAllister, MJ, Martaindale, MH, and Renteria, LI. Active shooter training drill increases blood and salivary markers of stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(4): 5042, 2020.
- Perroni, F, Tessitore, A, Cibelli, G, Lupo, C, D’Artibale, E, Cortis, C, et al. Effects of stimulated firefighting on the responses of salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase and psychological variables. Ergonomics 52(4): 484-491, 2009.
- Regehr, C, LeBlanc, V, and Jelley, R. Acute stress and performance in police recruits. Stress Health 24: 295-303, 2008.
- Selleh, MR. Life event, stress and illness. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 15(4): 9-18, 2008.
- Smith, DL, Barr, DA, and Kales, SN. Extreme sacrifice: Sudden cardiac death in the US Fire Service. Extreme Physiology and Medicine 2(1): 6, 2013.
- Strahler, J, and Ziegert, T. Psychobiological stress response to a simulated school shooting in police officers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 51: 80-91, 2015.
- Taverniers, J, and De Boeck, P. Force-on-force handgun practice: An intra-individual exploration of stress effects, biomarker regulation, and behavioral changes. Human Factors 56(2): 403-413, 2014.
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Emily Langford, PhD, CSCS,*D
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Emily Langford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University. Her scholarly work invol ...
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Topics:
Exercise Science Exercise Technique Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Safety Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Exercise Science Exercise Technique Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Safety Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Keywords:
First Responders Physiological Stress Response Exercise Research Live-Fire Drills Occupational Fitness Tactical Performance Fire Fighters Stress Management
First Responders Physiological Stress Response Exercise Research Live-Fire Drills Occupational Fitness Tactical Performance Fire Fighters Stress Management
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