This article provides recommendations and advice from a former active-duty Infantry/Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army on the transition to becoming a tactical strength and conditioning coach.
Military and law enforcement needs analyses are not specifically matched to firefighting, but those training styles are better than basic fitness regimens or no regimen at all. For firefighters who are attracted to other styles of training not specific to firefighting, there are ways to train for all the demands of firefighting without making the firefighter use training modalities that they dislike or are not comfortable using.
HRV is thought to provide objective insight into understanding fatigue, “trainability,” and “readiness” to perform in athletic populations. Evolving access to HRV data may enhance the understanding of individualized fitness and training responses in tactical athletes.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or Disease
This column will explore specific investigations that evaluate the impact of PA and fitness on mental and physical health outcomes among firefighters and law enforcement officers.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the health and occupational implications of firefighters not currently meeting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) aerobic capacity recommendations.
This article shares various options for integrating mental skills training into existing strength and conditioning programs. Such simultaneous, dual-training approaches may better prepare officers for the realities of occupational performance.
A physical assessment continues to be one of the best ways to evaluate and measure physical preparedness and readiness of a military unit for job-related tasks and future missions. Tactical facilitators must consider multiple factors when developing testing protocols and programs, including leadership support, limited resources, and training cycle time constraints.
November 19, 2025by Lee Brown, PhD, CSCS, CSPS, TSAC-F, RSCC, Scott Caulfield, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*E, Jim McDonald, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, TSAC-F, and Alexandra Cacioppo, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, USAW-2
This article from TSAC Report shares a coaching philosophy than can bridge the communication gap between strength and conditioning professionals and firefighters Visit NSCA online to read more on tactical athletes and fitness news.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designOrganization and AdministrationTesting and EvaluationClient Consultation|AssessmentSafetyBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or DiseaseProfessional Development
This article provides considerations for preparing firefighters
for the physical and psychological demands of their job, including pre-operational work specific training during their rest times.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designSafetyProfessional Development
The purpose of this article is to discuss relationships between current fitness testing within the United States Army and its effect on overall tactical readiness.