News

The Tactical Research Unit were back in the field with the NZ Army assisting with their combat pack trials. Nothing like collecting data on a favourite topic - load carriage.

Article down range: Another article for the Tactical Research Team. In this systematic review, led by Doctor of Physiotherapy students from Bond University, the injuries of custody officers were profiled. The upper extremity was the most commonly injured body part (26–30%), with musculoskeletal sprains and strains (30–60.2%) the most common types of injury. This profile is similar to those reported in general-duty police officers. As such, musculoskeletal conditioning, reconditioning, and fall prevention practices employed in law enforcement may serve as an initial approach to risk mitigation in this population.

Read the published review here: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2334

Professor Rob Orr getting together to present with long term colleagues and research collaborators Dr Jay Dawes, Dr Robert Lockie and PhD Candidate Joe Dulla at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Boston

Nothing like a day in the field collecting data (or several days). The Tactical Research Unit are back out collecting data to assist in specialist police selection. Dr Ben Schram and Dr Elisa Canetti entering data and finalising work during a respite in activity

Congrats to Kate Lyons for an amazing presentation at her confirmation of candidature for her PhD. Kate is working with the Tactical Research Unit to study the occupational tasks of Tier 2 police officers and to profile their physical requirements and injury risks. Thanks to Dr Karl Friedl and Dr Wayne Hing for being panel members and offering their experience and insights.

The Tactical Research Unit were proud to present some of our ongoing research at the 45th ICMM – World Congress on Military Medicine. Professor RODNEY POPE presented on MSI underreporting, Dr Ben Schram presented on female injury risk factors, Dr Elisa Canetti presented on iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, Professor Rob Orr presented on load carriage and PhD student Graham Marvin presented on fatigue.

The TRU team were again Incredibly privileged to be embedded with Tasmania Ambulance Wilderness Paramedics for their winter training block at Cradle Mountain. The resilience and capability of this unique team was on show over the last four days with 96km/hr wind gusts, apparent temps as low as -16.2 degrees and a no duff rescue half way through. Awesome data collection for Lizzie Cooper (Marsh)'s phd. Massive thanks to Simon Harmsen and Bec Foxen.

Tactical Research Unit back in the field collecting data. Police officer obstacle course performance both unloaded and loaded. Dr Ben Schram and Dr Elisa Canetti prepping the VO2 Masters and Polar heart rate monitors.

It's here: Adding to Bond University's Tactical Research Unit TACOPS suite of microcredentials the Load Carriage microcredential has officially launched. Everything you want to know about Load Carriage for military, law enforcement, fire and rescue.
https://bond.edu.au/microcredential/tactical-conditioning-optimisation-program

The TRU were well represented at the National Strength and Conditioning Tactical Annual Training Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. HDR students Mark Stephenson, Whitney Tramel and Joe Dulla, as well as recent HDR graduate Dr Colin Tomes, caught up with their supervisor Professor Rob Orr after their podium presentations and set up further collaborations with Dr Jay Dawes (Oklahoma State University) and Dr Robert Lockie (California State University – Fullerton). Mark Stephenson and Whitney Tramel gave a joint presentation on stress in law enforcement while Dr Colin Tomes presented his thesis work on Heart Rate Variability. Professor Orr presented on load carriage across the tactical spectrum before chairing a knowledge exchange session based on the pad carriage presentation.