The physical demands of tactical professions such as military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue require those workers to be in top physical condition to perform their jobs well and decrease the risk of injury. NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning contains scientific information to assist in implementing or restructuring strength and conditioning programs at commercial or government fitness centers that work with these tactical athletes to achieve those goals. Designed primarily as a preparatory resource for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) certification, the text is also useful as a manual for government agencies or a daily reference for strength and conditioning professionals. Editors Brent A. Alvar, Katie Sell, and Patricia A. Deuster have extensive experience as scholars and practitioners in their respective fields. They have assembled a team of distinguished contributors who bring to light current trends in strength and conditioning through their combined experiences as professionals in the fields of academia, athletic training, firefighting, law enforcement, military, nutrition, physical therapy, and strength and conditioning. The contributors not only provide foundational knowledge of exercise physiology and biomechanical movement patterns, but they also comprehensively review all of the components necessary for TSAC Facilitators to design and operate successful training programs for tactical athletes. Separate chapters focus on the specific physiological issues related to military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue personnel, including how a strength and conditioning program should directly correlate to their critical job tasks and the specific environmental, occupational, and exposure concerns for each population. Topics such as nutrition, supplements, injury treatment and rehabilitation, wellness interventions, and assessments and evaluations are discussed for professionals who work with tactical populations. Additionally, exercises, drills, and techniques targeting the specific needs of tactical athletes in areas such as flexibility, mobility, speed, agility, power, and aerobic endurance are described in great detail and accompanied by full-color photos. Each chapter of NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning begins with learning objectives and incorporates key terms, diagrams, detailed photographs, and key points throughout the text to help guide readers and facilitate comprehension of concepts. Sidebars and sample programs are included in some chapters to help readers apply theoretical concepts in their professional practice. Additionally, for instructors using the book, or the TSAC-F exam prep symposia, a presentation package plus image bank with more than 300 photos and illustrations is available, making preparation easier with the use of predeveloped materials that correspond with the book's content. Ultimately, the goal of NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning is to help prepare those seeking TSAC-F certification and to serve as a resource for professionals so that they can implement an optimal strength and conditioning program targeted for tactical athletes that will decrease their risk of injury and optimize performance.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Tactical Strength and Conditioning: An Overview Brent A. Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D, FNSCA Katie Sell, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F Patricia A. Deuster, PhD, MPH, CNS NSCA TSAC Program Duties of a Tactical Athlete Job Analysis of a Tactical Athlete Assessment of the Individual Program Design Chapter 2: Cardiopulmonary and Endocrine Responses and Adaptations to Exercise Denise Smith, PhD Cardiovascular Structure and Function Pulmonary Anatomy and Function Acute Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise Acute Respiratory Responses to Exercise Acute Endocrine Responses to Exercise Chronic Adaptations of the Cardiopulmonary and Endocrine Systems to Exercise and High-Stress Situations Chapter 3: Skeletal Muscle Anatomy and Biomechanics Michael R. Deschenes, PhD Raymond W. McCoy, PhD Bones and the Skeleton Skeletal Muscle Muscle Mechanics Neuromuscular Anatomy Neural Responses During Exercise Biomechanical Principles Types of Muscle-Strengthening Exercises Biomechanical Factors Affecting Muscle Strength Chapter 4: Physiological Adaptations and Bioenergetics Todd Miller, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC‐F, FNSCA Bioenergetics and Metabolism Physiological Adaptations to Exercise Detraining and Retraining Chapter 5: Basic Nutrition for Tactical Populations Steve Hertzler, PhD, RD, LD Amanda Carlson-Phillips, MS, RD, CSSD Guidelines for Dispensing Nutrition Information Step 1: Understand the Demands of the Tactical Athlete Step 2: Understand Basic Fueling Concepts Step 3: Provide Nutritional Guidance Step 4: Create Nutritional Recommendations to Support Performance and Recovery Providing Guidance on Energy Balance and Nutrition Tools Chapter 6: Tactical Fueling Maj. Nicholas D. Barringer, PhD, RD, CSCS,*D, CSSD Maj. Aaron P. Crombie, PhD, RD Nutritional Needs of Tactical Athletes Nutrient Requirements of Tactical Athletes Under Various Conditions Nutrition-Related Conditions and Chronic Diseases of Tactical Athletes Chapter 7: Ergogenic Aids Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA Colin D. Wilborn, PhD, CSCS, ATC Eric T. Trexler, MA, CSCS Regulation of Dietary Supplements Anti-Doping Agencies and Dietary Supplement Resources Risk Stratification of Supplements Common Performance-Enhancing Substances: Potential Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects Illegal Performance-Enhancing Substances Signs and Symptoms of Ergogenic Aid Abuse Chapter 8: Testing and Evaluation of Tactical Populations Bradley J. Warr, PhD, MPAS Patrick Gagnon, MS Dennis E. Scofield, MEd, CSCS Suzanne Jaenen, MS History of Fitness Testing in Tactical Occupations Types of Performance Tests Testing Procedures Evaluation of Performance Test Results Use of Performance Test Results Chapter 9: Development of Resistance Training Programs Nicholas A. Ratamess, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA Needs Analysis Resistance Training Program Design Chapter 10: Periodization for Tactical Populations G. Gregory Haff, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, ASCC Defining Periodization Goals of Periodization Principles of Periodization Models Structural Components of Periodized Training Sequencing and Integrating Training Applying Periodization Theory to Deployment-Based Tactical Athletes Applying Periodization Theory to Nondeployed Tactical Athletes Chapter 11: Resistance Training Exercise Techniques Jason Dudley, MS, CSCS,*D, TSAC‐F, RSCC, FMS‐1, USAW‐1 Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, CSCS, NSCA‐CPT, FNSCA Performing Exercises With Alternative Implements Warm-Up Before Resistance Training Guidelines on Body Stance and Alignment, Breathing, and Spotting Resistance Training Exercises Chapter 12: Flexibility and Mobility Exercise Techniques and Programming Mark Stephenson, MS, ATC, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F Daniel J. Dodd, PhD, CSCS Comparison of Mobility and FlexibilityTypes of Flexibility and Mobility Exercises Exercise Technique and Cueing Guidelines Program Design Chapter 13: Plyometric, Speed, and Agility Exercise Techniques and Programming Mike Barnes, MEd, CSCS, NSCA‐CPT Jay Dawes, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA‐CPT,*D, FNSCA Plyometric Training Speed Training Agility Training Chapter 14: Aerobic Endurance Exercise Techniques and Programming Matthew R. Rhea, PhD, CSCS,*D Brent A. Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D, FNSCA Warming Up Before Aerobic Endurance Training Exercise Techniques and Cueing Guidelines Step 1: Exercise Mode Step 2: Training Frequency Step 3: Training Intensity Step 4: Exercise Duration Step 5: Exercise Progression Program Design Recommendations Chapter 15: Evidence-Based Approach to Strength and Power Training to Improve Performance in Tactical Populations Dennis E. Scofield, MEd, CSCS Sarah E. Sauers, MS, CSCS Barry A. Spiering, PhD, CSCS Marilyn A. Sharp, MS Bradley C. Nindl, PhD Overview of Occupational Demands Optimizing Occupational Performance Applying Principles of Strength and Power Training Chapter 16: Care and Rehabilitation of Injured Tactical Populations Danny McMillian, PT, DSc Common Injury Prevalence and Risk Factors Phases of Tissue Healing Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome Maintenance of Training Status During Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Guidelines for Injury Care and Rehabilitation Chapter 17: Physiological Issues Related to Fire and Rescue Personnel Katie Sell, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, USAW Joseph Domitrovich, PhD Critical Job Tasks for Firefighters Environmental, Occupational, and Exposure Concerns Injury and Illness Risks in Firefighters Optimizing Functional Fitness Program Design and Sample Training Approaches Chapter 18: Physiological Issues Related to Law Enforcement Personnel Ben Hinton, MSc, CSCS Sgt Mick Sterli, BPhysEd, MExSc, CSCS,*D, TSAC‐F,*D Robin Orr, PhD, MPhty, BFET, TSAC-F Critical Job Tasks for Law Enforcement Personnel Environmental, Occupational, and Exposure Concerns Injury and Illness Risks Optimizing Functional Fitness Key Program Variables Chapter 19: Physiological Issues Related to Military Personnel William Kraemer, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA LTC David Feltwell, PT, OCS, TSAC-F Tunde Szivak, PhD, CSCS Critical Job Tasks for Conventional Military and Special Operations Personnel Environmental, Occupational, and Exposure Concerns Injury and Illness Risks Optimizing Functional Fitness Program Design and Sample Training Approaches Chapter 20: Physical Training to Optimize Load Carriage Paul C. Henning, PhD, CSCS Barry A. Spiering, PhD, CSCS Dennis E. Scofield, MEd, CSCS Bradley C. Nindl, PhD Impact of Equipment Load on Biomechanical Demands Physiological and Biomechanical Demands of Load Carriage Practical Considerations for Training Programs to Optimize Load Carriage Chapter 21: Wellness Interventions in Tactical Populations Robin Orr, PhD, MPhty, BFET, TSAC-F John R. Bennett, MS, CSCS, EMT-P Chronic Illness and Diseases Conditions Common in Tactical Populations Risk Factors Requiring Wellness Interventions Operating Wellness Programs for Tactical Populations Chapter 22: Organization and Administration Considerations John Hofman, Jr, MS, CSCS, USAW, USA T&F, FMS Frank A. Palkoska, MS, CSCS Design Layout and Organization Policies and Procedures Safe Training Environment