TSAC Report 80 - Military Column – January 2026
by Whitney Tramel, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, and Mark Stephenson, MS, ATC, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
TSAC Report
February 2026
Vol 80, Issue 1
This column outlines a combat readiness framework that integrates physical conditioning to strengthen cognitive performance and support sustained mission readiness in high-stress environments.
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This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
REFERENCES
- Alim, H, Abd, Wahab, AY, Subramaniam, A, and Nor, NM. Tactical cognitive readiness of military personnel: The effect of transfer of training. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences 14: 263-288, 2025.
- Bray, RM, Pemberton, MR, Hourani, LL, Witt, M, Olmsted, KL, Brown, JM, et al. Department of Defense survey of health related behaviors among active duty military personnel. 2009.
- Chapman, CL, Giersch, GEW, Gwin, JA, Goldenstein, S, Schafer, EA, Roberts, BM, and Potter, AW. Body composition and physical readiness in military servicemembers: Cross-disciplinary advances and current challenges. Exercise, Sport, and Movement 3: e00050, 2025.
- Dekel, R, Solomon, Z, Ginzburg, K, and Neria, Y. Combat exposure, wartime performance, and long-term adjustment among combatants. Military Psychology 15: 117-131, 2003.
- Flood, A, and Keegan, RJ. Cognitive resilience to psychological stress in military personnel. Frontiers in Psychology 13: 809003, 2022.
- Herrera, GJ. The fundamentals of military readiness. CRS Report R46559. 2020.
- Hoge, CW, Castro, CA, Messer, SC, McGurk, D, Cotting, DI, and Koffman, RL. Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine 351: 13-22, 2004.
- Jenkins, B, Semple, T, Quail, J, and Bennell, C. Optimizing scenario-based training for law enforcement. Interventions, Training, and Technologies for Improved Police Well-Being and Performance 18-37, 2021.
- Jensen, AE, Bernards, JR, Jameson, JT, Johnson, DC, and Kelly, KR. The benefit of mental skills training on performance and stress response in military personnel. Frontiers in Psychology 10: 2964, 2019.
- LaCroix, JM, Baggett, CMR, Lee-Tauler, SY, Carter, SP, Vileta, S, Neff, L, et al. Special operations cognitive agility training (SOCAT) for Special Operations Forces and spouses. Military Psychology 36: 266-273, 2024.
- Mastroianni, GR, Mabry, TR, Benedek, DM, and Ursano, RJ. The stresses of modern war, in: Biobehavioral Resilience to Stress. Routledge; 65-78, 2008.
- Pleydell-Pearce, CW. DC potential correlates of attention and cognitive load. Cognitive Neuropsychology 11: 149-166, 1994.
- Stergiou, M, Robles-Pérez, JJ, Rey-Mota, J, Tornero-Aguilera, JF, and Clemente-Suárez, VJ. Psychophysiological responses in soldiers during close combat: Implications for occupational health and fitness in tactical populations. Presented at Healthcare, 2023.
- Tornero-Aguilera, JF, Stergiou, M, Rubio-Zarapuz, A, Martín-Rodríguez, A, Massuça, LM, and Clemente-Suárez, VJ. Optimising combat readiness: Practical strategies for integrating physiological and psychological resilience in soldier training. Presented at Healthcare, 2024.
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Topics:
Exercise Science Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Professional Development
Exercise Science Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Professional Development
Keywords:
Exercise Research Cardiovascular Conditioning Combat Readiness Mental Resilience Endurance Training High-Intensity Interval Training Sport Science
Exercise Research Cardiovascular Conditioning Combat Readiness Mental Resilience Endurance Training High-Intensity Interval Training Sport Science
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