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Published on: August 8, 2019
Reframing the "Tactical Athlete": Implications for Operational Readiness and Support A Narrative Review
Ben Schram1, Jeremy Robinson1, Shane D Irving1
1Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD.
Summary
The term "tactical athlete" may inaccurately describe military and first responders due to significant differences in support and demands compared to professional athletes. This could lead to ineffective training and increased injury risks.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Occupational Health
- Military Medicine
Background:
- The term 'tactical athlete' is widely used in tactical professions to acknowledge physical demands.
- Professional athletes and tactical personnel have distinct differences in privileges, support, and operational challenges.
- Current use of the 'tactical athlete' label may not fully capture the unique circumstances of tactical roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the appropriateness of the 'tactical athlete' nomenclature.
- To compare and contrast the training and support systems of professional athletes versus tactical personnel.
- To identify potential risks associated with the 'tactical athlete' label.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual analysis.
- Comparative analysis of professional athletics and tactical professions.
- Discussion of training and support strategy alignment.
Main Results:
- Significant disparities exist between professional athletes and tactical personnel regarding resources, operational demands, and career structures.
- The 'tactical athlete' label may oversimplify the complex realities faced by military, law enforcement, and firefighting personnel.
- Misaligned training and support strategies stemming from this label can negatively impact operational readiness and increase injury rates.
Conclusions:
- The term 'tactical athlete' may be suboptimal nomenclature, potentially leading to flawed training and support paradigms.
- Re-evaluating the terminology is crucial for developing effective strategies that enhance operational readiness and mitigate injury risk for tactical professionals.
- A more nuanced understanding is needed to address the unique needs of individuals in high-demand tactical occupations.
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