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Notice: The NSCA website is scheduled to undergo system maintenance from 12:00 AM - 2:30 AM EST. During this time, there may be short service interruptions across the site and some parts of the site may not be accessible. We apologize for any inconvenience while we work to improve the website experience and security.
Strength and conditioning professionals who incorporate a properly designed and supervised training program can help their young athletes train, compete, and reduce the likelihood of injury.
Personal trainersCoachesExercise ScienceProgram designyouth athlete trainingyouth strength trainingyouth training guidelines
While no recruitment process will ever be perfect, it is time to address the “legal defensibility” of physical employment standards as the primary consideration in developing recruitment guidelines that are concurrently designed to increase workplace diversity.
Through a well-designed resistance training program, firefighter recruits can gain the movement skills, confidence to exercise, and foundational strength/physiological adaptations that they need for a long and healthy career.
In order to move patients, gear, and equipment properly, the first responder must be able to move well themselves. Both unloaded and loaded movement should be examined and trained. One way to achieve this is to train frequently and properly with a constant focus on both mobility and strength in the various positions that are commonly required of first responders.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designOrganization and Administrationtactical strength and conditioningTSAC-FTSAC;first responders
Chronic fatigue, stress, sleep deprivation, unhealthy diets, and pain can be commonplace in most departments. The tactical facilitator should try to keep their action plans simple and achievable to help prevent injuries and optimize performance.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designSafetytraining for tactical athletesTSACtactical strength and conditioning
The “priority training system” is one method first responders can use to ensure adequate exercise while not overexerting to the point that they are too fatigued to perform their jobs.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designSafetyover trainingfatiguerecoveryfirst responderspriority training system
The program described in this article is an example of how a department can attempt to address and potentially prevent musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters and similar tactical populations. This process includes the use of movement screens, active workshops, and various modes of feedback.
The extent to which a special operator’s training schedule can be planned in advance is often limited due to their unpredictable operational demands. However, there may be opportunities to plan for specific training during certain periods.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceNutritionsports nutritionperiodizationtactical athletemilitary athlete;tactical strength and conditioningTSAC
Tactical jobs are fast-paced, physically and psychologically intense, and failure can have tragic consequences, making it vital to train tactical athletes to perform better under stress.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designSafetyperforming under pressurestress management techniqueshow to deal with stressstress managementstress reliefHow to handle stress