This TSAC research column explores how operational exposure and experience shape stress responses in military personnel. Visit NSCA online to learn more about tactical performance and exercise research.

The catecholamines—primarily epinephrine, but also norepinephrine and dopamine—are secreted by the adrenal medulla and are important for the acute expression of strength and power because the hormones act as central motor stimulators and peripheral vascular dilators to enhance enzyme systems and calcium release in muscle.

Learn optimal plyometric setup, execution, and landing mechanics to maximize power output and to best prepare the joint structures to tolerate greater stresses later in training. In this session from the NSCA’s 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Loren Landow explains progressions based on competency and ability, from low-amplitude, bilateral jumps to single-leg deceleration drills.

The path to actual integration of mental and physical training for the tactical athlete is paved with growing empiricism. The current challenge is to sustain creative development of functional approaches and demonstrate that integration can deliver potential benefits.

Learn 7 ways that strength & conditioning professionals can recognize mental health concerns, respond effectively, & provide support while staying within scope.

Resistance training or strength training has become one of the most popular forms of exercise, because it is the only method capable of improving physical fitness and increasing muscle mass simultaneously. Among the variables of training, the relationship between intensity and volume has been extensively addressed to enhance exercise induced muscular hypertrophy. For many, mechanical stress is seen as a factor of greater relevance and, because high loads promote greater mechanical tension and high intensities are traditionally used to increase muscle mass. However, evidence has shown greater safety and similar results through training based on lower intensities and increased training volume. Thus, this narrative review aimed to search the current literature for evidence on using different training loads to promote muscle hypertrophy. An extensive nonsystematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scielo databases. It was possible to conclude that the use of high and low intensity promotes similar results in muscle hypertrophy in all groups, leading to the belief that there is greater safety and adherence to the use of lower intensities compared with close effort to concentric failure.

Learn overtraining syndrome (OTS) risks, symptoms, and outcomes for tactical athletes from NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning, 2nd Edition.

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the leading mindset, behavioral, and psychological factors controlling food intake, as well as, educate professionals on how to assist with developing healthier nutrition practices.

This article discusses how first responder organizations can optimize their training programs through scientific techniques, including the measurement of training load.

Learn optimal setup, execution, and landing mechanics to maximize power output and to best prepare the joint structures to tolerate greater stresses later in training. In this session from the NSCA 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Loren Landow identifies progressions based on competency and ability—from low amplitude, bilateral jumps to single-leg deceleration drills.