Military Research Column – April 2026
by Whitney Tramel, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, and Mark Stephenson, MS, ATC, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
TSAC Report
May 2026
Vol 81, Issue 4
This column explores how operational exposure and experience shape stress responses in military personnel, influencing resilience, readiness, and performance under pressure.
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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
1. Clemente-Suárez, VJ, de la Vega, R, Robles-Pérez, JJ, Lautenschlaeger, M, and Fernández-Lucas, J. Experience modulates the psychophysiological response of airborne warfighters during a tactical combat parachute jump. International Journal of Psychophysiology 110: 212-216, 2016.
2. Clemente-Suarez, VJ, Palomera, PR, and Robles-Pérez, JJ. Psychophysiological response to acute-high-stress combat situations in professional soldiers. Stress and Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress 34: 247-252, 2018.
3. Flood, A, and Keegan, RJ. Cognitive resilience to psychological stress in military personnel. Frontiers in Psychology 13: 809003, 2022.
4. Konyango, BA, Kimamo, C, and Oketch-Oboth, J. The relationship between combat exposure and psychosocial wellbeing among deployed military personnel: A review of empirical literature. International Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Education 4: 57-69, 2025.
5. Rao, HM, Smalt, CJ, Rodriguez, A, Wright, HM, Mehta, DD, Brattain, LJ, et al. Predicting cognitive load and operational performance in a simulated marksmanship task. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 3(14): 222, 2020.
6. Rubio-Zarapuz, A, Stergiou, M, Aguilera, JT, Robles-Pérez, J, Rey-Mota, J, and Clemente-Suarez, V. Effects of lighting conditions on psychophysiological re-sponses and motor skills in warfighters during close quarter combat simulations. Journal of Military and Veterans Health 33: 6-14, 2025.
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Whitney Nicole Tramel, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, RSCC
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Whitney Tramel, MS, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC is the Tactical Program Manager at the NSCA Headquarters in Colorado Springs. She is a strength and condi ...
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Topics:
Exercise Science Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Safety Emergency Procedures Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Exercise Science Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Safety Emergency Procedures Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Keywords:
Psychophysiological Stress Cognitive Resilience Occupational Readiness Tactical Performance Cognitive Control Mechanisms Stress Adaptation
Psychophysiological Stress Cognitive Resilience Occupational Readiness Tactical Performance Cognitive Control Mechanisms Stress Adaptation
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