A comprehensive but realistic battery of tests can reveal those who are sufficiently fit and athletic to immediately assimilate into training with the least possible likelihood of failure or injury. The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) was designed to identify those individuals and screen out those who require further physical development.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designTesting and Evaluation
TSAC Report 75, shares content on injury prevention exercises for first responders. Visit NSCA online to read articles on health science, tactical athlete and more.
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This research review covers topics such as the effects of police officer equipment loads, military occupational specialties, and the effects of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters.
This column reviews recent literature that investigated the appropriateness of a commonly utilized on-duty exercise training modality for firefighters and describes the occupational demands of specialist tactical police officers.
A common theme in tactical fitness is to train for the demands of the position. This begs the questions: what are the actual occupational physical fitness requirements of the position of a California patrol law enforcement officer and how might these inform programming for this population?
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designTesting and Evaluation
Just as any athletic team can benefit from sport-specific training, tactical professionals can benefit from occupational task-specific training as well. Combining pushing, pulling, pressing, and total body movements into complexes may help mimic the demands and movements of job tasks that tactical personnel may encounter.
In addition to standard health, fitness, or sport assessment guidelines, several guidelines exist for the fire service. Since each agency is different in its preferences, capabilities, and philosophies, applying a standard recommendation may not be possible. This article introduces basic decision-making considerations for fire service assessment batteries.