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 turns 10
The Tactical Research Unit turns 10 and what a ride. With a current capability of just 1.6 FTE (4 x 0.4 FTE) the work by the TRU has led to changes in training approaches and policies, equipment design, and veteran care. BUT all this could not have been done without a lot of support. While there is a long list, thanks are definitely due to Professor RODNEY POPE who was a cofounder of unit. Professor Helen Chenery who threw her full support behind our concept from the start and Professor Nick Zwar who has supported and guided the TRU's growth. To Professor Wayne Hing for the quiet guidance and mentorship and Professor Suzanne Gough for unwavering support and championing our cause. To Tanya Forbes who all our PhD students credit for their sanity and Peter Marendy who we credit for ours. Then comes our 250+ collaborators, foremost amongst the group are Dr Jay Dawes, Dr Robert Lockie, and Dr Filip Kukic. To the end users who got us started and kept pushing us to help their agencies Mick Stierli, Shane Irving, Richard Gorey, Charlie Kornhauser, Ryan Holmes, Joe Dulla, Jason Semple, Ben Hinton. To industry giants who fostered innovation and collaboration, most notably ADA (AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE APPAREL PTY LTD) and LEGEAR. To the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for fostering learning in a tactical space. Finally, to the team Ben Schram, Elisa Canetti and Lizzie Marsh (Cooper) for the late nights, early mornings, and the copious burgers.
5th TRU Rapid Fire Mini Congress
Another successful Tactical Research Unit Mini Congress held during Bond University's Research Week. 42 Delegates in person, 68 online (across 10 countries). Military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, paramedics, corrections, academics, researchers, and S&C coaches all in attendance. Special thanks to our keynote, Ex ADF PTI Michelle Peronne.
Upcoming events
There are currently no scheduled events.
