About TRU
The TRU is a network of multidisciplinary international experts who investigate ways to optimise the physical and cognitive capabilities, and safety of tactical personnel – whether military, law enforcement, firefighters, or first responder organisations.
Comprised of academic researchers and personnel who have served in tactical professions, the TRU provides the critical transfer of scientific evidence to pragmatic application across tactical, operational, and strategic management levels. Using a bespoke 'Trident Approach' the TRU engage with academics, industry and end-users to ensure research has real world outcomes.
The TRU is nested within Bond University’s Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, which received the highest possible ranking of ‘well above world standard’, and ‘at world standard’ for human movement and sports science, from the Australian Research Council (ARC) in its Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
The overarching aim of the group is to improve the fitness, health, wellbeing and occupational performance of those who serve and ensure new research findings are shared across the different tactical populations.
Services
The TRU provides services to government, industry, academic and private institutions. These include research projects, consultancy reports and educational and training packages.
Since 2015, the TRU team has conducted research across multiple tactical agencies covering initial training through to specialist selection and rehabilitation.
Consultancy projects have included the development of evidence-based, tactically viable, reports to inform multiple agencies and the generation of injury management, assessments, and conditioning optimization frameworks.
Education and training services use the latest research evidence and practical experience to provide workshops, courses or longer programs to tactical personnel as well as their support staff, such as physiotherapists, physical training instructors, and strength and conditioning coaches.
Latest news
TRU in the media
Dr Rob Orr was recently interviewed by the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness Program Director, Army Drew Hammond and Alex Morrow for the MOPs and MOEs podcast. The MOPs and MOEs podcast, a military acronym for Measures of Performance (MOPs) and Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs), focusses on changing the fitness culture of the US Army. You can listen to the podcast here.
Discussing the concept behind 'protecting our protectors', Dr Rob Orr was recently interviewed by Julie Clift from the ABC Radio’s Drive program. For those interested the interview can be found here (the interview runs 2:08:12 – 2:15:17).
The TRU were also recently featured behind the scenes on Channel 9 News showing viewers how the equipment that keep our military and first responders safe, are tested. You can watch it here.
TRU MONTHLY UPDATE: OCT 22
U.S. National Strength and Conditioning Association's Tactical Annual Training Conference
Dr Rob Orr recently presented at the US National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Tactical Annual Training Conference on Optimising movement for tactical professionals and sat on a panel discussing the future fitness needs of these professionals. While at the conference, Rob caught up with the Tactical Research Unit’s PhD students who live in the U.S. - LT Joe Dulla (retired), Whitney Trammel and Mark Stevenson (pictured below L-R). Joe and Mark also presented at the conference on topics relevant to their HDR studies - Law enforcement training and Impacts of stress on tactical performance.
PhD student invited on panel at the 30x30 National Summit on Women in Law Enforcement
Last month, TRU PhD student Joe Dulla was a requested panellist on Physical abilities in law enforcement at the 30x30 National Summit on Women in Law Enforcement, which was sponsored by the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice.
2022 Trauma Conference
The TRU teamed up with Bond’s Translational Simulation Collaborative (TSC) participating in a panel on High Performing Teams at the 2022 Trauma Conference. Hosted by the TSC’s Professor Victoria Brazil, the panel included Dr Rob Orr (TRU), Dr Andrew Donohue (Anaesthetist, GCUH), Dr Eve Purdy (Emergency Physician, GCUH) and Dr Liz Crowe (Staff Wellness Lead, RBWH).
Landforces conference
The TRU recently attended the LAND FORCES 2022 Conference in support of Australian Defence Apparel. The TRU demonstrated the interaction of academic and research in regard to load carriage, exoskeletons and digital anthropometric devices for future clothing systems. During the conference the TRU partnership with defence industry giant Babcock International was also announced, with TRU supporting Babcock’s LAND 125-4 bid to supply Commonwealth with an integrated soldier system solution.
Rapid Fire Mini Congress
The 2nd Rapid Fire Mini Congress was held during research week this month. Following a keynote presentation by Dr Jace Drain from the Defence Science and Technology Group, HDR students, Doctor of Physiotherapy students, TRU staff and industry guests presented on a variety of topics spanning the tactical field, from military to law enforcement to fire and rescue. Around 40 people attended face-to-face and another 40 attended online. Online guests included delegates from the USA, UK, UAE, Finland, the Netherlands, Serbia, Germany, South Africa and Singapore.
Pictured below is Dr Jace Drain presenting the keynote at the TRU Rapid Fire Mini Congress.
