“Anytime an undergraduate student publishes research in a peer-reviewed journal is a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Jason Wagganer, chair of the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation (KNR).  “Austin’s project is a shining example of how a class project can lead to quality research worthy of publication.”

Cook began conducting his research as part of KNR Assistant Professor Dr. David Tomchuk’s practicum in athletic training IV course where his idea began to take shape.

 “Dr. Tomchuk was really instrumental in getting me to pursue this project,” said Cook. “He definitely gave me a push to get the project going.”

From there, Cook began independently researching the effects of the Buford Complex on a softball player. 

The Buford Complex is a rare variant of normal shoulder anatomy. It has been researched in other areas of athletics but fell short when it came to softball. That’s where Cook’s research came in.

“To date, no research has been conducted on a successful Buford Complex treatment plan in a young female softball player,” said Wagganer. “This case study research will hopefully provide a foundation from which other sport scientists can implement proper rehabilitation programs.”

The unique research and its benefits were recognized by “The Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences,” the official journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association. The research fit its mission statement of “publishing high-quality research” and represents the caliber of programs offered by the University’s Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation. 

“This publication demonstrates the rigor and quality of the students the athletic training program is producing here at Southeast,” said Dr. David Tomchuk. “We hope this high-quality publication will be the norm among our students.”

The Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation established a number of new programs the last few years including the master’s degree in athletic training. The masters in athletic training program, whose faculty has over 70 years of combined experience, will begin in the summer of 2023.

“The master’s in athletic training will be implementing clinically based research in the curriculum to encourage students to have more of these publications,” said Tomchuk. “Clinically based research will be built into the degree for students to strive for.”

Cook, now a graduate student seeking his master’s degree in nutrition and exercise science from Southeast, plans to continue using the Southeast faculty’s experience and innovative research implementation to further his knowledge in the field.

“The biggest thing is people being available,” said Cook. “If I ever needed to reach out or ask questions there was always someone there. I never felt on my own because the faculty were there ready to help.”