Personal profile
Research Interests
Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D, is a Professor and Director of the First Responder Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky. He serves as a Researcher for the Police Research Center (ICPOL) for the Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security in Lisbon, Portugal and Adjunct Research Fellow at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and Georgia Southern University. Abel conducts research to enhance the safety, health, and readiness of firefighters and law enforcement officers. Additionally, he has served as a firefighter.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, University Of Utah
2006
Master of Science, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
2001
Bachelor of Science, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
1999
Associate in Arts, University Of WI Center-Washington Cty
1997
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Athletic Training - Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42): Central Appalachian Regional Education Research Center
Gribble, P. (PI), Abel, M. (CoI), Heebner, N. (CoI), Hoch, J. (CoI), Uhl, T. (CoI) & Bazrgari, B. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
7/1/19 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
-
Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42): Central Appalachian Regional Education Research Center
Sanderson, W. (PI), Abel, M. (CoI), Agioutantis, Z. (CoI), Christian, J. (CoI), Heebner, N. (CoI), Hoch, J. (CoI), Hoover, A. (CoI), Liu, Y. (CoI), Lu, T. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI), Prince, T. (CoI), Sampson, S. (CoI), Spengler, S. (CoI), Stanifer, S. (CoI), Uhl, T. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI), Browning, S. (CoPI), Gribble, P. (CoPI), Sottile, J. (CoPI), Hahn, E. (Former CoPI), Mazur, J. (Former CoPI), Bazrgari, B. (Former CoI), Bunn, T. (Former CoI), Butler, K. (Former CoI), Novak, T. (Former CoI), Oldham, C. (Former CoI), Spengler, S. (Former CoI) & Vincent, S. (Former CoI)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
7/1/19 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
-
Safety, Health, and Injury Mitigation in Firefighter Training (SHIFT)
Gribble, P. (PI), Abel, M. (CoI), Hoch, J. (CoI), Rous, B. S. (CoI), Uhl, T. (CoI) & Heebner, N. (CoPI)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
9/22/22 → 3/21/26
Project: Research project
-
Effect of Shift Schedules on Firefighter Sleep Outcomes
Miller, J., Whitehurst, L., Watkins, E., Weatherbie, J., Lanham, S. N., Thruston, J. L., Mason, M. R., Langford, E. L. & Abel, M. G., Jan 16 2026, In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Publish Ahead of PrintResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Effects of occupational tasks and personal protective equipment on static and functional balance among career firefighters
Kis, P., Abel, M., Joyner, B., Munkasy, B. & Melton, B., 2026, In: Ergonomics. 69, 2, p. 309-317 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Muscle and Anaerobic Performance Relationships With Firefighter Occupational Tasks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Martin, J. R., Abel, M. G., Newman, K., Fyock-Martin, M. & Clark, N. C., Jan 16 2026, In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Publish Ahead of PrintResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and firefighter occupational performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis examining absolute versus relative VO2max
Martin, J. R., Clark, N. C., Newman, K., Fyock-Martin, M. & Abel, M. G., 2026, In: Ergonomics. 69, 4, p. 561-578 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
2 Scopus citations -
Effect of On-Duty Resistance Training Fatigue on Neuromuscular Function in Structural Firefighters
Thruston, J. L., Best, S. A., Heebner, N. R., Bollinger, L. M. & Abel, M. G., Jun 2025, In: Healthcare (Switzerland). 13, 11, 1278.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
-
Tactical Strength and Conditional Practitioner of the Year Award
Abel, M. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Honorary award