The Effect of an American Football Practice on Physical and Cognitive Performance and Recovery

This study examined the effects of the first full-contact American football practice on cognitive and physical performance and recovery during a 36-hour period. Twelve male athletes from the Israeli Football League volunteered to participate in a study representing the initial full-contact football practice. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool Fifth Edition and Stroop tests. Physical performance assessments included the isometric mid-thigh pull, vertical jump power, and reactive agility. Assessments occurred before practice (PRE), immediately postpractice (IP), 24 hours postpractice (D1), and 36 hours postpractice (D2). Blood samples were obtained to assess myoglobin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), testosterone (T), and cortisol (C). T and C measures were obtained at PRE only to provide an indication of the baseline anabolic/catabolic ratio on the recovery response. Results revealed that physical performance measures, including peak force and rate of force development (RFD), showed significant declines IP, and remained impaired at D2. In contrast, cognitive function demonstrated improvements over time, with significant increases in acute memory, concentration, and delayed memory at D2. The testosterone-to-cortisol ratio was correlated (r 5 0.704, p 5 0.034) with changes in RFD_max, Myoglobin concentrations were significantly elevated at IP, reflecting the muscle damaging effects of the practice. No changes were observed in BDNF concentrations. These findings indicate that the initial full-contact football practice induces neuromuscular impairments for at least 36 hours. However, cognitive performance demonstrated a different recovery trajectory, improving over time. Understanding these recovery patterns may provide insight into optimizing training load management and recovery strategies during initial football training.