The Warrior Research Center (WRC)
The Warrior Research Center (WRC) and the Neuromechanics Research Laboratory (NuRL) combine physiology, biomechanics, engineering, motor control, neurophysiology, functional movement, strength and conditioning, performance optimization, and sports medicine to help keep tactical athletes safe, healthy, and at peak performance.
Professor JoEllen Sefton, Ph.D., ATC Ret, is the Director of Auburn’s Warrior Research Center and NuRL.
The Warrior Research Center works with the Auburn Police Department to optimize officer wellness.
A member of the Warrior Research Center conducts research with military personnel.
Assist the United States Armed Forces and to maximize readiness through improved Warrior health and wellness, improved physical and technical performance, and innovative vehicles and equipment in order to fight and win in a complex world. To improve health, wellness, and performance for all tactical athletes, enabling them to safely complete the occupational demands of their jobs while staying healthy and safe.
The Warrior Research Center and Neuromuscular Research Laboratory under the direction of Dr. JoEllen Sefton, focuses on evidence/science-based practice with the goal of solving real world problems. We work on developing evidence-based approaches to improve performance, prevent musculoskeletal injury, improve wellness, and optimize treatment and rehabilitation in tactical athletes. A large part of our research agenda focuses on training and handling environmental challenges (heat and cold). View Dr. Sefton’s teams publications on Google Scholar. Check out our current research topics below:
Environmental:
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How can we keep tactical athletes safe?
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How well do tactical athletes perform in the heat?
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What is the best way to cool them?
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Is there a work/rest ratio? Will they use it?
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How does clothing impact heat performance/safety?
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How does acclimatization work? Can we test for it?
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Can current cooling methods make things worse?
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How does the cold impact performance?
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How does the environment impact decision making and response time?
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Can we use what we’ve learned to keep the community safer?
Performance Optimization:
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How do environmental factors impact physical and cognitive performance?
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What is the current wellness of our tactical athletes?
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How can we help them improve given the job, resource and time constraints?
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What are the best ways to start ROTC Cadets off right in their careers?
Injury Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation:
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What factors lead to injury?
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How can we predict injury?
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Can we prevent them?
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How can we speed Return to Duty?
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Without increase repeat injury?
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If we see issues sooner, can we Return to Duty faster?
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YES!!!
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How can we personalize interventions instead of one size fits all?
Fueling Tactical Athletes:
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How can we optimize nutrition with tight schedules and poor access in the field?
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How does hydration impact performance in the heat and cold?
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How does nutrition impact injury?
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How can we create lasting change?
Exoskeletons and Prosthetics:
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How can we improve patient care?
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Can we implement virtual patient visits to improve access to care?
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How can we update methods of prosthetic prescription and fitting?
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Are Service Members satisfied with their prosthetic and care?
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How does exoskeleton use impact metabolic load and time to fatigue?
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What is the psychological response to exoskeleton use?
Faculty
JoEllen Sefton, Ph.D., ATC Ret. is the Director Auburn University’s Warrior Research Center (WRC) which serves as a point of collaboration and a catalyst for change between researchers, the military and tactical athletes to develop and implement new knowledge in human factors. Her research focuses on reducing injury and improving health, wellness and performance in our military, firefighters, and law enforcement. Sefton collaborates with academia, military research laboratories, Tactical Athlete units, small businesses, industry and government agencies. She developed and organizes the biennial WRC Tactical Athlete Summit, an international event that brings together researchers and tactical athletes to share problems and provide solutions.
Nicholas Bordonie, MS - Doctoral Candidate
MAJ Derek Anderson, MS, RD – Doctoral Fellow
Adan Vazquez, MS – Doctoral Fellow
Douglas Terza, MS – Doctoral Fellow
Lawton Hawkins, BS – Research Assistant
Nick Mauldin, BS – Research Assistant
Reagan Boledovic – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Katie Ghelerter – Undergraduate Research Assistant
The Warrior Research Center engages in outreach with military, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders as well as and tactical athlete organizations, government, small businesses, and institutions. The WRC develops programs to address wellness, performance, fitness and health issues in tactical organizations. They also provide educational briefings, training, research, and problem solving to military, law enforcement, and firefighting, and other organizations.
We collaborate with researchers from around the country to apply for funding and conduct cutting-edge research. We also have a graduate program for students looking to further their education and research, and we employ a number of individuals.
