An Operational Athlete is like no other athlete on earth. They receive no preparation time before their event. They become aware of the physical requirements of that event as they unfold. They have little information for the ground that event will be played on, the temperature it will be played at or the duration of time it will cover. But what does that mean in terms of how they prepare?
It means that the operational athlete has to prepare for literally everything. All the traditional athletic avenues: strength, power, endurance, flexibility and agility. The difference is the proportion. A marathoner does not have the same physical requirements as a football player; therefore while there may be some crossover in their training methodologies, the proportionate times are relative to the activity of choice.The Operational Athlete has no such specificity. The Operational Athlete must be agile and powerful, with a high strength-to-mass ratio. He or she must also have good cardiovascular endurance. Both are requirements of the job and both may aid in a life saving situation (be it someone else's or their own).
They must be concerned with injury prevention and reactivity to ensure career longevity. They must be able to come out of long periods of idle behavior without fear of their body failing them. The Operational Athlete must have the work capacity to perform a variety of tasks successfully in order to do their job well. He or she must be able to cover ground quickly and efficiently, jump,climb, dive, crawl, duck, evade, grapple, pursue and any number of other movement descriptions at any given time.Training methods commonly learned early on or through traditional mass-media are not as effective for the Operational Athlete. Training for them is not about look or performance (though both are side benefits), but about lifestyle. Excess bulk will only serve to slow them down, but minimal mass will not allow them a level playing field with heavier opponents.
The ability to maneuver with equipment and kit must also be a concern, so solid core strength must be included in training. The creation of strength and power can be achieved without the addition of excess mass by improving the body's ability to overcome force from a variety of angles and overcoming instability in body position or contact points.The Operational Athlete is adaptable. No matter his core specialty, he seeks to cross train and apply lessons learned from other fields into his day to day routine. He is prepared to operate as part of a team or alone for extended periods of time relying solely on his wits,conditioning, and equipment for success.The Operational Athlete is a chameleon. He wants to be underestimated. He has mastered the craft of camouflage and knows that it takes many forms. Situationally aware and knows the disadvantages of being recognizable as a member of his chosen profession.
The Operational Athlete is a subject matter professional. He acquires or modifies existing purpose built equipment to perform the mission, selecting the right clothing and equipment to blend in. Everything he does is for effect; dedicated to the constant preparation for when he has to answer the call.
The Operational Athlete recognizes that strength comes in many forms.