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.

• Chapter 1: Tactical Strength and Conditioning: An Overview
• Chapter 2: Cardiopulmonary and Endocrine Responses and Adaptations to Exercise
• Chapter 3: Skeletal Muscle Anatomy and Biomechanics
• Chapter 4: Physiological Adaptations and Bioenergetics
• Chapter 5: Basic Nutrition for Tactical Populations
• Chapter 6: Tactical Fueling
• Chapter 7: Ergogenic Aids
• Chapter 8: Testing and Evaluation of Tactical Populations
• Chapter 9: Development of Resistance Training Programs
• Chapter 10: Periodization for Tactical Populations
• Chapter 11: Resistance Training Exercise Techniques
• Chapter 12: Flexibility and Mobility Exercise Techniques and Programming
• Chapter 13: Plyometric, Speed, and Agility Exercise Techniques and Programming
• Chapter 14: Aerobic Endurance Exercise Techniques and Programming
• Chapter 15: Evidence-Based Approach to Strength and Power Training to Improve Performance in Tactical Populations
• Chapter 16: Care and Rehabilitation of Injured Tactical Populations
• Chapter 17: Physiological Issues Related to Fire and Rescue Personnel
• Chapter 18: Physiological Issues Related to Law Enforcement Personnel
• Chapter 19: Physiological Issues Related to Military Personnel
• Chapter 20: Physical Training to Optimize Load Carriage
• Chapter 21: Wellness Interventions in Tactical Populations
• Chapter 22: Organization and Administration Considerations