TAMUC Health and Human Performance Researchers Helping Build Resilience in First Responders

Faculty researchers in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M-Commerce are at the forefront of improving physical fitness preparation and performance for first responder populations.

Instructor Hussien Jabai and Associate Professor Dean Culpepper recently penned an article for “CRACKYL,” a digital magazine providing health and wellness resources for the fire and rescue community.

The article “Brain Train: Teach Your Brain to React and Process Faster” explains how firefighters improve their reaction and planning skills through observing and assessing visuomotor function.

first responders performing fitness assessments.
A&M-Commerce instructor Hussien Jabai (right) conducts fitness assessments for first responders.

Jabai also teamed with Assistant Professor Michael Oldham to author an article in “Tactical Training and Conditioning,” a digital magazine aimed at strength and conditioning professionals serving military and first responder communities.

In “CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy Implements Physical Ability Testing,” Jabai, Oldham and CAPCOG Chief Instructor Sergio Flores tackle the importance of physical ability testing in preparing police cadets for the Basic Peace Officer Course and their real-world duties.

Both articles highlight research conducted in the university's ROARHP Lab focused on occupational readiness for first responders.

A woman stands facing away with arms raised as part of a physical assessment conducted by a faculty researcher.
The ROARHP Lab at Texas A&M-Commerce conducts physical assessments for a wide range of research studies. Photo by the Texas A&M University-Commerce Office of Marketing and Communications.

Explore the science of exercise and human performance through the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M-Commerce.