Preseason strength training for rugby union: The general and specific preparatory phases.

THE FIELD OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING HAS SEEN THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TRAINING METHODS TO ENHANCE SPORT PERFORMANCE. WHILE THE TRAINING TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES MAY HAVE CHANGED, THE CORNERSTONE OF ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT HAS NOT, IN THAT STRENGTH TRAINING DURING THE GENERAL PREPARATION PHASE REMAINS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT IN ATHLETIC CONDITIONING FOR SPORT. IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE TO PRESENT PRESEASON STRENGTH TRAINING DURING THE PREPARATION PHASE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE 2009 RUGBY SEASON FOR SENIOR, AMATEUR, FIRST- AND SECOND-GRADE PLAYERS COMPETING IN THE DOMESTIC CENTRAL WEST RUGBY COMPETITION, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.