Maximising performance, managing fatigue and optimising recovery in American Football with Marc Lewis
Aug 17, 2023
auto_awesome
Marc Lewis, Director of Sports Science at the Houston Texans, discusses athlete fatigue management, load monitoring, and recovery optimization. He explains fatigue monitoring techniques, the importance of robust monitoring protocols, and the role of sleep and nutrition in recovery. Additionally, he explores various recovery modalities, such as cold water immersion, to manage fatigue in American football.
Understanding the diverse demands of different positions in American football and using specific metrics to track player workload is crucial for effective load monitoring.
Force plates can be used to monitor acute fatigue and recovery in football athletes, with metrics like jump height and RSI providing insights into fatigue levels and performance outputs.
Monitoring neuromuscular fatigue in players and tailoring their training and recovery protocols based on individual fatigue levels can help optimize performance and reduce the risk of non-contact soft tissue injuries.
Deep dives
Monitoring Load in American Football
In this podcast episode, Mark Lewis, the director of Applied Sports Science at the Houston Texans, discusses load monitoring in American football. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse demands of different positions and using specific metrics to track player workload. For skill positions like wide receivers and defensive backs, high-speed running and sprint yardage are crucial metrics. On the other hand, interior players, such as linemen, require metrics like inertial movement analysis (IMA) to capture smaller, aggressive movements within a confined area. Mark also highlights the value of using force plates to monitor acute fatigue and recovery in football athletes. He mentions metrics like jump height, RSI (reactive strength index), and eccentric and concentric impulses to assess fatigue levels and performance outputs.
Understanding Acute Fatigue and Recovery
The podcast delves into the monitoring of acute fatigue and recovery using force plates. Mark explains the significance of using reliable metrics that can detect changes in performance. He suggests looking at metrics like RSI to measure jump height and contraction time, which provide insights into fatigue levels. Changes in these metrics can indicate positive adaptations or signs of fatigue. Mark also highlights the importance of considering different phases of movement when analyzing force plate data, such as eccentric deceleration impulse and concentric impulse. Lastly, he emphasizes the need to understand reliability at an individual level rather than applying it uniformly across a group.
Factors Influencing Load Monitoring in American Football
In this podcast episode, Mark Lewis discusses various factors that influence load monitoring in American football. He stresses the importance of considering the specific demands and positional differences within the sport. Metrics like high-speed running and sprint yardage are crucial for skill positions, while inertial movement analysis (IMA) is valuable for interior players. Mark also emphasizes the need to determine the reliability of metrics within a specific population and testing protocol. He highlights how force plates can be used to monitor acute fatigue and recovery, with metrics like jump height and RSI providing insights into fatigue levels and performance outputs. Mark concludes by emphasizing the significance of understanding individual-level reliability when interpreting force plate data.
Contact Prep Training for Conditioning and Tackling
Several universities and NFL teams are incorporating contact prep training for conditioning purposes and to prepare players for tackling. The aim is to introduce contact in a more systematic and progressive way, rather than going from no contact to full contact suddenly. This approach focuses on preparing players, particularly interior linemen, for handling and moving bodies and improving connective tissue health and mobility. While the podcast guest's team has not fully emphasized this type of training yet, they acknowledge the growing trend of using contact prep methods in football.
Monitoring Fatigue and Recovery in Athletes
The podcast also discusses the importance of monitoring neuromuscular fatigue in players to tailor their training and recovery protocols. Testing and assessments are done on specific days throughout the week to understand each player's fatigue levels and track their recovery over time. This information allows the team to modify training loads and practices, as well as individualize recovery methods. Effective recovery strategies, such as sleep and nutrition, are prioritized, and modalities like cold water immersion and contrast therapy are used based on their known benefits. The overall goal is to manage fatigue and optimize recovery to reduce the risk of non-contact soft tissue injuries.
In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Marc Lewis, Director of Sports Science at the Houston Texans delves into the intricate realm of athlete fatigue management, load monitoring and recovery optimisation.
Marc offers a comprehensive overview of fatigue monitoring techniques. From analyzing performance metrics like jump height to decoding the significance of fatigue patterns, Lewis guides listeners through the nuances of assessing and interpreting athlete fatigue levels. He introduces the concept of "non-functional overreaching," highlighting the importance of recognizing when athletes are unable to adapt strategies to achieve performance goals, indicating a significant level of fatigue.
Listeners gain valuable knowledge on establishing robust monitoring protocols. Lewis discusses the importance of understanding coefficients of variation and effect sizes, emphasizing the need to differentiate between measurement errors and genuine performance changes. The conversation also explores the optimal timing for testing, such as assessing fatigue levels both immediately after a game and midweek to capture recovery trends.
The podcast doesn't stop at monitoring—Lewis dives into recovery methods as well. He emphasizes the role of sleep and nutrition, highlighting their significance in expediting recovery. Additionally, he explores various recovery modalities, ranging from well-researched techniques like cold water immersion to other options that offer individual athletes a degree of autonomy in their recovery choices.
By the end of the conversation, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how to tailor training programs, prioritize recovery, and ultimately elevate the performance of athletes. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of fatigue management, where science meets practice.
Main talking points:
The demands of the NFL
Athlete fatigue monitoring
Understanding non-functional overreaching
Monitoring protocols: CVs, effect sizes
Timing of fatigue and readiness assessments: Post-game, midweek assessments
Autonomy in recovery choices
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
