Martin, Joel | George Mason University

Phone: (703) 993-7607
Email: jmarti38 (@gmu.edu)

George Mason University
Science and Technology Campus
Katherine G. Johnson Hall 201E
10890 George Mason Circle
MS 4E5
Manassas, VA 20110

Dr. Martin holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a specialization in biomechanics and motor control from Pennsylvania State University, where he also earned dual M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology. His undergraduate studies were completed in Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Binghamton. Since 2016, Dr. Martin has been the program director for the MS in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion at George Mason University. His research focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of emergency responder populations. Dr. Martin has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and is an active member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He currently serves on the NSCA Virginia advisory board and the executive council of the NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning special interest group. In his free time, Dr. Martin is dedicated to maintaining his own health and fitness through training.

Research Focus & Projects

Health and Performance of Tactical Athletes

My research primarily focuses on enhancing the fitness and health of tactical athlete populations, including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel. These groups face demanding and high-stress occupations, placing them at an increased risk for injury and other health-related challenges. To address these issues, I employ community participatory research to guide my work, ensuring that the programs and solutions developed are informed by the unique needs and experiences of the populations I serve. I collaborate with local organizations such as Prince William County Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, the Virginia National Guard, and George Mason ROTC. The shared objective of these projects is to reduce injuries by implementing evidence-based movement and fitness programs.

My specific research interests include examining how fitness, health, and lifestyle influence: 1) successful completion of academies or basic training, 2) injury rates during training, and 3) long-term fitness and health throughout a tactical athlete's career. Additionally, I investigate the relationship between various fitness components and the ability of emergency responders to perform essential occupational tasks.

In the area of injury prevention, I lead multiple projects examining the effects of load carriage, fatigue, and other stressors on movement strategies and cognitive function. We are currently studying different types of body-worn load carriage, including law enforcement duty belts, tactical vests, and rucksacks. I am particularly interested in identifying the individual factors that explain the varying responses to load carriage among tactical athletes.

Tactical Athletes, Emergency Responders, Exercise, Fitness, Health, Injury, Biomechanics, Motor Control

1. *Sax van der Weyden, M., *Shaul., Y., Merrigan, J., Helton, W., Barringer, N., Newman, K., Martin, J. (In Press). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Military Foot Marches on Performance — Part 1: Physical Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Accepted December 2025.

2. Martin, J, *Hromyak, A., *Sax van der Weyden, M., Weinstein, A., Boolani, A. (2025) The relationship between grit, resilience, and physical activity: a systematic review. Frontiers in Sport and Active Living,2025;7.

3. *Newman, K., *Sax van der Weyden, M., Martin, J. (2025) An Examination of Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors And Fitness in ROTC Cadets. Military Medicine, Published online June 19, 2025:usaf307.

4. Martin, J., Abel, M. G., *Newman, K., Fyock-Martin, M., & Clark, N. C. (2025). Relationships between body composition and firefighter occupational performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Work (Reading, Mass.), 10519815251346151.

5. Martin, J., *McCummings, N., *Shaul, Y., Fyock-Martin, M., & McConnell, J. (2025). Injuries in the Fire Service: An Updated Review and Strategies for Practitioners. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000919.

6. Martin, J., Clark, N. C., Newman, K., Fyock-Martin, M., & Abel, M. G. (2025). The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and firefighter occupational performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining absolute versus relative VO2max. Ergonomics, 1–18.

7. Martin, J., Abel, M., Fyock-Martin, M., Newman, K., Clark, N. (In Press) Muscle and Anaerobic Performance Relationships with Firefighter Occupational Tasks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Accepted February 2025.

8. Martin, J., *Sax van der Weyden, M., *Newman, K., Fridman, L., Barringer, N., Fyock-Martin, M., Caswell, S. (2025). Examining gait adaptations in loaded foot marches using instrumented insoles. Military Medicine, 190(Supplement_2):125-133.

9. Lindsey, B., *Shaul, Y., & Martin, J. (2025). Salivary biomarkers of tactical athlete readiness: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 20(4), e0321223.

10. Martin, J., *Toczko, M., Miller, A., & Caswell, S. (2025). Firefighter Years: Mediating Effects of Years of Service on Physical Fitness: Original Research. Research in Health and Medicine, 5(1).

11. Martin, J., *Sax van der Weyden. M., Estep, A. (2025) The interplay of dual tasks, sleep quality and load carriage on postural stability in young, healthy adults. Biomechanics, 5(1),1.

12. *Sax van der Weyden, M., Merrigan, J., *Hahn, J., *Newman, K., Martin, J. (2024) Long Duration Load Carriage Performance is Associated with Army Combat Fitness Test Scores and Fat Free Mass. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(11).

13. Martin, J., Lockie, R., Fyock-Martin, M., Clark, N. (2024) Physical Fitness Profile of a Large Urban Fire Department: Exploring Age and Rank Dynamics. WORK. 79(4):2059-2073.

14. Martin, J., *Toczko, M., *Sax van der Weyden, M., Lockie, R. (2024) Effects of implementing a mandatory annual fitness assessment in a large fire department. WORK, 79(1):155-165.

15. *Sax van der Weyden, M., Merrigan, J., *Hahn, J., *Newman, K., Martin, J. (2024). Army Combat Fitness Test Scores Moderate Cognitive Function Improvements Following a Ruck March: A Hierarchical Linear Model Approach. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(7): 1314-1320.

*Denotes a student co-author

Joel Martin

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