Training Considerations for the Tactical Athlete
By
Josh Henkin
Many people consider sports such as golf, tennis, and martial arts to be some
of the top sports that are most reluctant to buy into modern strength and
conditioning techniques. However, all these sports have seen an increase in the
acceptance of these ideas in more recent years because of the success of the
sports’ top stars.
In truth, these sports are not nearly as tough to turn as those athletes that
lay their lives on the line for all of us. Police, fire, and military athletes
often need the most modern training techniques but have been caught in old
traditional means that have always been hard to change.
Yes, I said athletes! These tremendous men and women have to possess many of
the same qualities of sport. The dilemma is that they may never know when they
have to express these components of fitness and often have to do so in very
extreme situations.
The training for those involved in police, fire, and the military is a
growing aspect of strength and conditioning, so much so that the NSCA is now
running specific programs for tactical athletes. Those involved in these
programs deserve our very best training, yet they often get many outdated and
overhyped training programs that the rest of us are exposed to.
I’ve outlined some of the most important considerations in working with the
tactical athlete.
1. Evaluate
Evaluate not just the needs of the position but the current state of the
individual. The fitness and orthopedic health of the individual can vary
greatly! A new cadet versus a veteran can be very different, and assessing their
current fitness and health levels is an essential starting point. Because
fitness testing may only occur during the entrance period of an organization,
fitness may be greatly different for those who have spent considerable time in
the field. There is also a need to develop testing protocols that are relevant
to the needs of the job and can be measurable in both large group and individual
settings.
2. Common problems
Many of these athletes have common injuries just like any other athlete. Low
back injuries, cardiac problems, and overuse injuries are areas that need to be
addressed by the fitness program. Sometimes the best way to increase performance
is to decrease injuries.
3. Balanced fitness
There are many programs that state they demonstrate balance in their programs,
yet they often overemphasize a single component. Most often, the endurance
aspect of training and other attributes are missed because of the mindset of
having to “beat up” the tactical athlete. Developing movement skills,
flexibility, and strength in extreme ranges of motion are all important
considerations of the fitness program. Yes, I’m sorry there will also be a need
for both aerobic and anaerobic training.
4. Analyzing strength
To say someone is “strong” is about as vague of a term as one can use. Strength
has to be relevant to the demands of the sport or job. Many tactical athletes
completely ignore vital aspects of strength such as isometric strength that is
so important in the proper performance of their job. More time developing
certain types of strength can be more advantageous for the tactical athlete
because of the combative side of the job as well as the time spent in specific
postures.
5. Recovery
The most challenging part of working with tactical athletes is the extreme
demands they are placed under by long work hours and often times very little
sleep. Making recovery a priority will help many of the “overexertion” problems
that often victimize the tactical athlete. Time away from work may be best spent
on specific recovery techniques rather than performing intensive training.
Tactical athletes need to have our best programs, as the risks of “losing” in
this arena is far more dangerous than losing on the sporting field. In my next
article, I will cover drills that can greatly benefit the tactical athlete.
Josh Henkin, CSCS, is the creator of the best selling “Ultimate Sandbag”
and numerous DVDs on sandbag fitness programs. He has lectured nationally on
real world strength training for trainers and coaches alike. Josh Henkin can be
contacted at josh@sandbagexercises.com.
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength
training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products
and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the
industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit
us at www.EliteFTS.com.
