15 Things we Learned at MTI in 2015

Adam Scott, MS, CSCS Earlier this year we started our pivot towards MTI and mission-direct research.  Although we had already been doing it, this pivot formalized our dedication to Building Better Performance through thought-leading research.  Here is a look back at a few of the projects we have undertaken, and the lessons we have learned over […]

Trigger Pull Study, Initial Results

By Rob Shaul and Adam Scott   In 2015, we spent two days in Fresno working with 10 members of the City of Fresno SWAT team. The Fresno SWAT team volunteered to be our “lab rats” for a study designed to test the mission-direct effects of a lighter trigger pull. Most stock and issued carbines […]

The Best Way to Improve Push-Ups: Pilot Testing

  By Adam Scott, MS, CSCS We kicked off the pilot-phase of our study investigating the best way to improve push-ups.  The study is very similar to what we did with Pull-Ups during Sping/Summer 2016 – except, obviously, with push-ups. Basically, we designed four push-up training programs and randomly split our lab rats into four […]

Grip strength. Does it matter? How to Test it. How to Train it.

By Adam Scott, MS, CSCS   Grip strength testing has become increasingly popular for tactical professionals.  Whether it is directly assessed using a dynamometer or indirectly measured during weighted pull-ups, dummy drags, ammo can carries, farmer’s carriers, or the likes – grip strength has become a major part of the tactical athlete’s testing battery.   […]

The MTI 15/15 Shuttle Beep Test for Measuring VO2 Max

  By Adam Scott, MS, CSCS Background: VO2max or maximal oxygen consumption is a measure of an individual’s ability to utilize oxygen during increased exercise demand.  It is measured in absolute terms (liters of oxygen used per min – L/min) and relative terms (milliliters of oxygen used per kilogram per min – ml/kg/min).  VO2max is typically […]

Ruck Deep Dive – Study #2: Best Ways to Improve Rucking

  By Adam Scott, MS, CSCS Summary In September 2015 Mountain Tactical Institute began the second official study in our Ruck Deep Dive research series.  This study was designed to assess the effects of a 6-week training plan on rucking ability.  Having already identified physical attributes which related to initial rucking performance (Ruck Study #1), […]

Study: Moderate Stress Significantly Impacts Marksmanship

  Study: THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON MARKSMANSHIP Link to Full Study: MTI Stress and Marksmanship Study   OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of stress on marksmanship performance, as applied through four variables: (1) Physical Activity, (2) Time, (3) Resources Constraints (Ammunition) and (4) Competition.   METHODS Fifteen full-time members of […]

Study: Energy Drinks Can Help Maintain Marksmanship Performance

Study:  THE EFFECT OF ENERGY DRINKS ON MARKSMANSHIP (LINK TO FULL STUDY:  MTI Energy Drink and Marksmanship Study) By Adam Scott, MS, CSCS OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a popular energy drink (Monster Zero Ultra) on non-stressed and stressed marksmanship.  METHODS: Fifteen full-time members of a state law enforcement […]