Mark Abel, Ph.D., CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D teaches the Applications of Exercise Science in Tactical Fitness and Performance (HP 710) course within the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science – Human and Sport Performance Track. Dr. Abel is also an Associate Professor and Director of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Abel received his B.S and M.S. degrees in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and his Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah. Dr. Abel conducts research to improve the safety, health, fitness, and performance of firefighters and law enforcement officers.
He has served as a paid-on-call firefighter. He received the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner of the Year Award. He served as a member of the NSCA’s Tactical Strength and Conditioning – Facilitator (TSAC-F) Certification Exam Development Committee and the TSAC-Special Interest Group. Dr. Abel also owns Tactical Fitness Institute, LLC which assists fire departments and law enforcement agencies in developing legally defensible physical ability tests and offers other educational and exercise programming services to meet their health and performance goals.