INTRODUCTION: Tactical periodization (TP), as an alternative paradigm to periodization, gained considerable traction in recent years for strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches [1]. It considers all training factors and contains three principal acquisition training days (i.e., Strength, ndurance, and Speed days) that allow corresponding three crucial physical capacities development [1, 2]. However, no scientific research has reported the effects of three TP acquisition days during the preseason training on physiological characteristics in rugby union (RU). Therefore, this paper aims (i) to investigate the effect of 6-weeks TP preseason training on neuromuscular function performance and aerobic fitness, as well as (ii) to characterize external workload (EWL) variation of TP in professional RU players. METHODS: Thirty-two professional RU players (25.0±4.0 years, 103.4±16.8 kg, 185.5±8.8 cm) from a team competing in the 2nd France RU division were assessed. Based on the concept of TP, the three main acquisition days were arranged following the specific needs of the team. Subjects completed lower-body neuromuscular power (countermovement jump; CMJ) and aerobic ability (Bronco) tests before and after the preseason period. EWL was monitored using wearable 10-Hz GPS (Vector X7, Catapult Sports®, Melbourne, Australia) to characterize preseason training loads by total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR; >15 km/h), very high-speed running (VHSR; >21 km/h), sprint running (SR; >25 km/h) distance, PlayerLoad (PL), repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIE), and the number of accelerations (ACCnum; >2 m/s/s). Statistical assessments used paired sample t-tests and independent groups one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Scheffe test. RESULTS: Throughout the preseason, there were no differences in CMJ results. In contrast, significant improvements were found in all participants` aerobic performance (p<0.001; effect size=0.49). During the TP training, RHIE did not differ among acquisition days. However, PL and ACCnum were higher (p<0.001; effect size=0.24-0.30) on Endurance day compared to Strength day. Furthermore, Endurance (3236.57±42.28 m; p<0.001; effect size=0.37) and Speed (3236.86±49.65 m; p<0.001; effect size=0.40) days reached a greater distance than Strength day (2966.00±49.84 m). The main results indicate that there were significant differences in training intensity for HSR, VHSR, and SR among three acquisition days (p<0.001; effect size=0.34-1.27). CONCLUSION: These results provide S&C coaches with insight into TP effects on the physical profiles and EWL variation of RU players during the preseason period. Especially, practitioners could use EWL variation of three acquisition days to assist with physical adaptation and technical complexity at different preseason stages.
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