Maximising performance, managing fatigue and optimising recovery in American Football with Marc Lewis

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