News

Laura Clark and a team from HPO Technologies recently visited the TRU. The group toured the new facilities at BIHS-North before discussing:
- injury rates and prevention strategies within military, law enforcement, and the emergency services.
- the physiological effects of load carriage in high-performance and tactical settings.
- the impact of stress on the human body and its implications for operational performance; and - job task analysis for tactical professions.

This critical work in advancing the understanding and application of Human Performance Optimisation in demanding professions has been set as the framework for future collaborations between HPO Technologies and the TRU.

The Tactical Research Unit were out in force to present at the 5th International Physical Employment Standards Conference held in Oklahoma, USA. TRU staff, PhD students, and collaborators presented research investigating various aspects of physical employment requirements for military, law enforcement, fire and rescue and paramedicine.

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.