Changes in peak force output, rate of force development, and jump performance across a full season in elite English rugby union players

Rugby union is a high-intensity invasion game characterised by contact events (most frequently the tackle and ruck). Success in key defining moments (i.e. tackle breaks, turnovers, scrums) in elite level rugby union is therefore largely dependent on technical characteristics, and physical qualities including strength and speed (1). Understanding changes in force characteristics across the full English professional rugby union season is therefore important for creating and monitoring strength and conditioning programmes. The aim of this study was to examine changes in force output, rate of force development (RFD), and jump performance across the full season in elite male English rugby union players.