summer-2024 - 23

but they have to have it day in and day out, every
day of their profession.
Furthermore, they must exhibit qualities of
resiliency and recovery which are both key
components in safely maximizing their career and
more importantly, longevity in life. The tactical
athlete, unlike a sports athlete, has no off-season.
This means they do not have months and months
to prepare to be at optimal performance for a set
period based on a season's game schedule. They
have to be at peak performance every day during
the year and have to be able to make critical and
life-changing decisions for themselves, coworkers,
and respective third parties. They are typically
afforded a working schedule for a few months
at a time. Their schedule can be either an eight,
10, or 12-hour day and may or may not include
shift work - which depending on the agency or
department may rotate every three to four weeks.
This abnormal sleep schedule disruptsb the normal
body chemistry of hormone production and plays a
significant factor in the ability of the tactical athlete,
to perform optimally when called upon.
Those in the military can be on missions, TDYs,
or deployments in which they may or may not have
access to a gym and traditional equipment. Therefore,
it is incumbent for the tactical athlete to have the
ability to improvise and program an exercise program
for them and their soldiers instantly.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon the tactical
athlete to constantly adapt their changing schedule
based upon the aforementioned variables. The
tactical athlete is not afforded the luxury to take
extended weeks or months off in the off-season
to rest their body from the previous season. The
tactical athletes' season is now, it's today and
every day until their commitment to service is
completed or one retires. Lastly, many tactical
athletes have to take a physical or PT tests several
times throughout the year for not only overall job
performance but for different job descriptions.
The sports athlete, depending on the sport,
will largely be based upon the actual position
they play. First of all, a sports athlete is generally
prescribed a macrocycle or a yearly program. With
a macrocycle, the athlete is presented with the
big picture of what their training plan involves.
Although the program can be up to four years
or up to six months out, there is a projected
outcome, vision, or physiological adaptation for
the sport. This entails the sports athlete making
a linear progression with different mesocycles or
monthly programs spread throughout to have them
optimally prepared for peak performance for their
" in or competitive season " in which they need to be
at optimal performance. The athlete will begin their
off-season program in which they typically partake
in activities other than their respective sport.
Subsequently, the sports athlete then transitions
to sport-specific training or SP phase which is met
with higher intensity progressively, a decrease in
GPP work, and a focus on basic strength. This is
where the pre-season/first transition begins or
the pre-competitive phase and both strength and
power are programmed in.
Lastly is the post-competitive or post-season
phase in which the sports athlete is afforded an
active rest, does not actively engage in resistance
training, and partakes in recreational activities other
than the sport that was just completed. n
Daniel J. Borowick, MS, CSCS, and founder of
DOMEX Strength and Fitness, is a former DEA
Special Agent who has over 27 years of tactical
experience in federal (DEA) and state (New
Jersey State Police). Currently, he is a strength and
conditioning specialist serving in the U.S. Army's
(H2F) Holistic Health and Fitness Program. You
can reach him through their website of www.
Domexstrengthandfitness.com, via Instagram
and Facebook @Domexstrengthandfitness, or
Domexstrengthandfitness@gmail.com.
tacticaltrainingandconditioning.com | 23
http://www.Domexstrengthandfitness.com http://www.Domexstrengthandfitness.com http://www.tacticaltrainingandconditioning.com
summer-2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of summer-2024
