BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Military operational training—designed to mimic combat and survival stress—leads to significant short-term declines in physical performance. This meta-analysis of 17 studies (N = 1,592) found consistent reductions in lower body power and muscular endurance following training. These performance drops are attributed to combined stressors like sleep deprivation, caloric deficit, and […]
Charlie Bausman
Research Review: Impact of Human Characteristics in Basic Underwater Demolition (BUD/S) Training Performance
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): This 2023 study, authored by LT Sawyer J. Rogers and LT William C. Weldin at the Naval Postgraduate School, analyzes over 232,000 training data points from the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) program to identify human characteristics that correlate with successful training evolution outcomes. Key findings indicate that older, married, and […]
The Debate Over Ranger Tabs in Infantry Leadership: Tradition, Merit, and Bias
A recent article by Matt Lensing, titled “Save Infantry Leaders From Bias by Removing Ranger Tabs,” has sparked considerable debate within military circles. Lensing argues that the presence of Ranger Tabs as a visible marker on uniforms creates an unintentional yet powerful bias in how infantry leaders are perceived and evaluated. According to Lensing, the […]
Research Review: Doubles, Drops and Ditches – Deconstructing the Art of MTB Trail Building
“Key aspects of trail design: flow, sustainability, risk management, and rider experience optimization”
The MTI SBGU 80/80/10 Challenge
The The MTI SBGU 80/80/10 Challenge: 80 Sandbag Get-Ups. 80 Pounds. 10 Minutes. Meet the Standard. Earn the Patch. The Sandbag Get Up is one of MTI’s most notorious exercises. This total body movement is applicable to all athlete types that MTI works with and has stood the test of time in developing work capacity […]
Research Review: The Role of Strength on Punch Impact Force in Boxing
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study examines the relationship between maximal and explosive strength and punch impact force in elite amateur and professional boxers. The findings indicate that lower-body strength and explosive power strongly correlate with greater punch impact force, while upper-body maximal strength has little impact. However, a major limitation of the study […]
The 357 Strength Progression: Blending Strength and Work Capacity
In a recent discussion, Rob revisited one of MTI’s longest-standing strength training methodologies: the 357 Strength Progression. Originally designed over 15 years ago, the method remains a staple for athletes balancing strength gains with short, intense work capacity efforts. The conversation explored its origins, implementation, and results from a recent study comparing it to traditional […]
Exploring Tactical Power: A Deep Dive into a New Approach
In a recent discussion, Rob explored the concept of training power for tactical athletes, diving into the methodology, results, and lingering questions from a four-week mini study. The conversation peeled back layers of complexity surrounding power development, assessing its relevance for tactical athletes and examining the best ways to train it. Defining Tactical Power The […]
Research Round Up: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Combat Rations on Military Performance
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) A systematic review of 30 studies examining the effects of combat ration (CR) use over 3 to 40 days found that military personnel consistently lost body weight (BW), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) while consuming operational rations such as Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s). These losses were most […]
Research Round-Up: Predicting 8-Mile Loaded March Performance in British Army Personnel
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) A study on British Army personnel found that 1.5-mile run time and body mass are the most reliable predictors of 8-mile Loaded March (LM) performance, regardless of sex. The research highlights that aerobic fitness and weight are critical factors for load-carrying capability, while muscular strength (e.g., lift capacity) adds little […]