Global Positioning System-Derived Workload Metrics and Injury Risk in Team-Based Field Sports: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current literature regarding the utility of global positioning system (GPS)-derived workload metrics in determining musculoskeletal injury risk in team-based field-sport athletes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed entries from January 2009 through May 2019 were searched using terms related to GPS, player workload, injury risk, and team-based field sports. STUDY SELECTION: Only studies that used GPS metrics and had injury as the main outcome variable were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Total distance, high-speed running, and acute : chronic workload ratios were the most common GPS metrics analyzed, with the most frequent sports being soccer, rugby, and Australian rules football. DATA SYNTHESIS: Many distinct workload metrics were associated with increased injury risk in individual studies performed in particular sport circumstances; however, the body of evidence was inconclusive as to whether any specific metrics could consistently predict injury risk across multiple team-based field sports.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results were inconclusive in determining if any GPS-derived workload metrics were associated with an increased injury risk. This conclusion is due to a myriad of factors, including differences in injury definitions, workload metrics, and statistical analyses across individual studies. © by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc.