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

<jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective</jats:title> <jats:p>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.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Data Sources</jats:title> <jats:p>PubMed entries from January 2009 through May 2019 were searched using terms related to GPS, player workload, injury risk, and team-based field sports.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Study Selection</jats:title> <jats:p>Only studies that used GPS metrics and had injury as the main outcome variable were included.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Data Extraction</jats:title> <jats:p>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.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Data Synthesis</jats:title> <jats:p>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.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>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.</jats:p> </jats:sec>