Rule Definition
Action artifacts should not directly use database objects. All the database access code should be encapsulated behind the business API classes, so Struts doesn't know what persistent layer you are using. This lets you use the same business API classes in other environments, and also to run unit tests against your business API outside of Struts or a HTTP environment.

Remediation
Use a Business Delegate to perform any business specific operations.

http://javaboutique.internet.com/tutorials/strictly_struts/index.html